ABSTRACT
The ability of the newly independent republics to make the transition to a new economic order will depend on the state of public consciousness and the balance of forces between the proponents and opponents of free market relations. The people comprising the first cluster were characterized by a negative attitude toward freedom of economic activity, little need for social guarantees, and a pronounced lack of acceptance of economic differentiation. Besides socio-demographic characteristics, the socio-psychological characteristics of supporters arid opponents to a market economy are also of great interest. The interconnection between the intensity of the need for freedom and the choice of economic system is evident. The group opposed to economic differentiation tended to display intolerance of other people's views and placed little value on the importance of preserving individual rights, saying that certain situations require their violation.
