The survey of 12,000 adults found that at least a third of people think it is acceptable, in some circumstances, to evade taxes, while 25 per cent do not feel they have a duty to vote.

The research, which will provide a valuable source of data for policymakers, reveals a curious ambivalence towards civic duty among the public. A quarter of people do not feel it is their duty to serve on a jury, give blood or participate in a neighbourhood watch group.

Nine per cent do not believe that paying taxes is important and 8 per cent think it is acceptable to claim benefits to which they are not eligible and to drop litter.

Patrick Seyd, who led the project said the survey also suggested a widespread disillusionment with the politics of Westminster. He said: ìWhile 11 million people in Britain are active members of an organised group, their political commitment is weaker.

ìFew people believe that governments take notice of their opinions.î Despite this, the research also suggests that political activity in the UK is broad and diverse.

Most people said they would readily give money to good causes, sign petitions and boycott or purchase goods for political ends. A third said they would be prepared to take part in public demonstrations to influence political decisions.

Professor Seyd also gave warning that the political voice in Britain was becoming increasingly concentrated among the privileged middle classes. ìThere is a danger that the voice of the very young, the old and the less privileged is becoming excluded from the politics of the 21st century,î he said.

The research findings reveal that the typical ìgoodî citizen is likely to be a middle-aged woman in a managerial or professional occupation, who has stayed in full-time education until 19 years of age or beyond.

ìBadî citizens, who have no respect for the law and do not want to be involved in society, are more likely to be aged under 24 years old and in manual occupations.