Politics and Citizens

WHICH WAY WILL RUSSIA GO?Political attitudes.THE ISSUE OF STALIN (see tables on Stalin and Putin)

BUT… Study: T.I.Kutkovets et al., “Self-Identification of the Russians

in the Early 21st Century”. Moskovskie novosti, No.25, 3.07.02

“The Russian System”, 3 main elements:Dominance of the state over the individualPaternalismIsolation from the outside world

“The Modern Alternative”,3 main elements:Priority of individual interests over the stateEmphasis on individual responsibilityOpenness to the outside world

TRADITIONALISTSHard core (support all 3 elements of the Russian

System) – 7%Reserve (support 2 out of 3) – 22%

MODERNIZERSHard core (support all 3 elements of the Modern

Alternative) – 33%Reserve (support 2 out of 3) – 37%

The Russian System loses 29:70Russian society does not want to be treated as a

passive object of the state

Which social system do you consider more normal and proper?

Primacy of individual freedom and personal interests; the duty of the state is to guarantee them –

70%

Primacy of state interests, the duty of the citizen is to help the state do its job -

26%

Not sure -

4%

Most important principles of the organization of the state:70% - adherence to the Constitution

48% - strict observance of laws

What kind of Russia do we need?

24% - a great military power, where interests of the state are supreme

76% - a country comfortable to live in, where human interests are supreme, and people have opportunities for improving their lot

Characterization of the existing Russian state:80% - have no idea where Russia is going (but many

think that Putin knows)

78% - laws are violated by government officials

58% - government officials are corrupt

50% - nothing can be done to stop the bureaucrats’ arbitrary behaviour

9% - citizens can use the courts to defend themselves

11% - citizens can use bribes or help of the criminals to defend themselves

20% - the government helps me

33% - the government creates problems for me

45% - the government does not play any role in my life

WHAT DOES RUSSIA NEED MOST TO OVERCOME ITS CRISIS AND ACHIEVE SUCCESS?

45% - to strengthen the state in accordance with Russia’s historical experience and traditions

54% - to strengthen the state by changing its basic mode of operation

TRADITIONALISTS OR MODERNIZERS?

Which path of development should Russia follow?

(Opinion poll, Feb. 2004, ROMIR):

18% - European 2% - Asian 76% - Russia’s own

Johnson’s Russia List, No.8111, 11.03.04, Item 17

What is democracy?

(Russian public opinion: Yuri Levada Center, March 2004)

44% - civil liberties (freedom of speech, press, association, etc.)

31% - economic growth 29% - order, stability 24% - rule of law 18% - electing top government leaders 11% - a meaningless thing 6% - anarchy

Johnson’s Russia List, No.8111, 11.03.04, Item 18

When will Russia become a democracy?

18% - never 10% - it is a democracy already 5% - in 5 years 23% - in 15-20 years 13% - in 20-50 years 8% - in more than 50 years

Johnson’s Russia List, No.8111, 11.03.04, Item 18