Transition, democratization and "personal welfare"

In this article author considers the concept of personal welfare as a cultural norm on the societal level with its mediatory function between social development and political orientation of the individuals seen on the long run. This sociopsychological phenomenon presupposes the result of interplay between the objective economic conditions, on the one hand, and dominant goals, aspiration and values (on the individual as well as on the group's plane), on the other hand. Thus analyzed phenomenon is seen as a factor that underlies more general economic and political preferences. On the ground of the data acquired through public opinion surveys in Serbia during the transition period, author also analyzes some trends of the personal perception of welfare noticeable within the Serbian public opinion. (This perception is operationalized by the aid of the criteria of personal poverty, class identification and of personals quality life satisfaction). Author points out the link between personal satisfaction and antisystem sentiment that contributes to political instability and could effect the short term as well as long term processes of economic and democratic reforms.