According to Hofstede(1996), the Eastern European countries are extremely diverse and very heterogeneous in terms of their populations, traditions, history, and cultural values. Although they all cxperienced communism, which failed nearly a decade ago after forty-five years of domination, communism was a native development in Russia only. In all other Eastern European countries it was forcefully imposed by the military. Today many elders in the Eastern European bloc believe that living under communism was better and easier than in the free market economy that encourages an individualistic mentality and demands looking after one's own existence. In these countries a national materialism, based on group collectivism, is highly developed. People do not want to accept the responsibility for making their own living and being responsible for their own existence, and demand financial and social support from government. Since many members of the Eastern European countres experi- enced wars and lived for many decades in insecurity, they don't want risk in their lives, and seek security and order. National materialism is less developed in the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary. These countries have the best chances to develop capitalism, free market economies, and individualist entrepreneurship. These countries are more individualistic, risk-takers, and masculine.