The young people of Eastern Ukraine: value orientations and antisemitism

Presents some conclusions from a survey conducted in 1992-93 in Zaporozhe (Zaporizhzha) and the surrounding area, with a sample of 537 young people (up to age 30), as well as from surveys carried out by the author between 1988-93. Focuses on the correlation of tolerant or intolerant attitudes toward Jews with the degree of urbanization, personality types and values, professional orientation, religious and political orientations, and ethnic consciousness. Concludes that antisemitism is more widespread in rural areas than in urban ones. Persons who have both extremely pessimistic or optimistic views on the future of the country ("fatalists"), those who are more ambitious, those with an aversion to conventional politics, and those with intense national feelings are more inclined to antisemitism, in both urban and rural areas. The correlation of antisemitism with professional and religious orientation is more complicated, and depends on some other factors - primarily, whether the respondents are urban or rural residents.