Intro to Lukanomics 101
In the West, Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka is often portrayed as a deeply unpopular dictator. The truth is a little more complex than that. According to a January poll by the Vilnius-based Gallup/Baltic Surveys, Lukashenka enjoys support of some 55 percent of Belarusians, thus being practically able to win the 19 March presidential election even in a free and fair vote. So why do so many people in Belarus support Lukashenka, apparently of their own free will?
• Analysis: When Bread Is Dearer Than Freedom In Belarus
By Jan Maksymiuk, a great analyst from RFE/RL.
March 2nd, 2006 at 2:54 pm
Not so detailed, but still worth reading:
http://www.tcsdaily.com/article.aspx?id=022806D