Democracy in Lithuania
ENLithuania is now a democracy. And despite the impoverishment of much of its population and the deflation of the unrealistic hopes that flowered after the recovery of independence, democracy is there to stay. Free and fair elections are taken for granted, and no political forces or figures of distinction harbor anti-democratic designs. But democracy and politics in general have generated little enthusiasm, for the flaws of government are more perspicuous than its virtues. Even granting the immense difficulties of transforming the political and economic system, the performance of politicians and government officials has been sub par. Nor are intellectual failings compensated by moral achievement. Many politicians are often paternalistic and arrogant, corruption and greed are rampant, studied indifference - the usual response to the genuine suffering of many citizens. Opinion polls have consistently shown the startling lack of trust in politicians and government institutions. According to a poll in March 1996, 20% of those polled stated that they trusted the government, while 68% expressed distrust; the figures for Parliament were 18% and 72%; for the presidency - 23% and 52% respectively.
