Russians are to a remarkable extent depoliticized. They do not believe that ordinary people can have any influence over their government, which they view as a closed corporation of officials who look out for their own interests. Hence they dismiss democratic elections and procedures as fraud. What matters to them is not that the government reflects their preferences -- in their opinion, no government ever does -- but that it be strong and effective. Its main function is to preserve order. When asked by pollsters what is more important to them, order or freedom, three-fourths reply order, apparently assuming the two incompatible.