A Nation in Search of Itself, Yet Going in Utterly Different Directions : Soviet Union: The level of discord represents not only an obstacle to progress, but also a threat of catastrophe.

Although the people of the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe have been most impressive in demolishing Stalinism in their countries, their ability to be equally successful in creating new democratic orders is far from clear.

Among the preconditions for the success of a democracy is popular consensus regarding the major social values that form the core of liberal ideology. As such, the probability of the Soviet Union being transformed into a true liberal society is, thus far, very low. A comparison of Soviet and American societies regarding consensus on popular values may be instructive on this point.

It seems paradoxical, but Soviet society today is far more diverse and heterogeneous than is American society.

Despite the diversity of opinion that is supposedly the hallmark of this country, the major social values of most Americans are remarkably similar. This permits society to function and to find solutions, albeit imperfect ones, to major social problems.

The present rift in American society regarding abortion, one of the most controversial issues on the American political scene, is incomprehensible to the Soviet people, who find themselves embroiled in problems that in their minds affect not the fate of a fetus but of a whole people.

The Soviet people currently lack any consensus on fundamental values. For perhaps the first time in history, a people find themselves obliged to choose between two socioeconomic ways of life--in this case, between socialism and capitalism. This is a choice on which they are fairly evenly divided. The supporters of socialism favor egalitarianism and the paternalistic role of the state, whereas the supporters of capitalism favor American-style privatization and individual initiative.

Soviets are also split regarding various crucial political questions. Should the Soviet Union be a unitarian state or a highly decentralized federation? Should the mass media be independent or state-controlled? Do current Soviet problems call for iron order or democratic procedures?

The vastly different views held by the Soviet people regarding Soviet history and the role played by Josef Stalin should not be underestimated here, since this difference of opinion regarding the past makes communication between opposing groups practically impossible.

The December session of the Congress of People’s Deputies provides clear evidence of the deep polarization of Soviet society. The discord between the delegates was so pervasive that there was not a single issue on which they could agree. As one deputy noted on Soviet television, the participants in debates simply ignored the arguments of the opponents and, were it not for President Mikhail S. Gorbachev’s authority, would have failed to reach any serious decisions at all.

Various polls of the Soviet people suggest that there is but one issue about which the majority agree--80% to 90% hold the party apparatus and the corrupt bureaucracy in the utmost contempt.

Ethnicity plays a crucial role in shaping Soviet public opinion and is extremely powerful in both dividing and unifying various groups. Although ethnic animosity has reached critical levels in the Soviet Union, with as many as 100 ethnic groups at war with one another, ethnic ties continue to unite many non-Russians such as the Baltic and Caucasian peoples, for whom ethnic issues take precedence over all others.

Few Soviet people can be easily labeled either liberal or conservative. The Soviet world view is extremely eclectic, often deeply contradictory and always volatile. It reacts quickly to current developments, especially those in the economy, and can easily move from one extreme to another.

Increasing social apathy and insensibility to any social values are complicating the economic, political and ethnic problems. The level of discord among the Soviet people regarding almost all major values represents a significant obstacle to Soviet progress in any sphere.

The extraordinary diversity of Soviet public opinion, a source of permanent tension, creates a feeling of imminent civil war and may cause problems of a far greater scope than those currently facing the Soviet people.

Unless some consensus is achieved, at least among the Russians, the current regime stands little chance of stabilizing the situation in the country.