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Russian Attitudes toward Democracy and Human Rights: Survey Results from 2001-03

Sarah Mendelson, Senior Fellow, Center for Strategic and International Studies; Theodore Gerber, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Date & Time

Thursday
Nov. 6, 2003
1:30pm – 3:30pm ET

Overview

At a recent Kennan Institute seminar, Sarah Mendelson, a Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and Theodore Gerber, Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, presented the findings of five surveys they had conducted in Russia from 2001-03. These surveys measured how people throughout Russia viewed issues related to democracy and human rights. According to Mendelson, the results that they obtained demonstrate that "Russia is not ready to ‘graduate' from [U.S. Agency for International Development] democracy assistance programs." In addition, she commented that their data would be useful for NGOs and other groups in designing campaigns to promote democracy and human rights in Russia.

Gerber explained that the survey results had demonstrated that Russians' attitudes had remained consistent from 2001-03. On questions about the desirability of a democratic government, respondents were divided almost equally into three groups: one believing that democracy was always preferable to other forms of government, one believing that authoritarian states are sometimes preferable, and one believing that form of government does not matter or having no opinion on the subject. Gerber noted that contrary to expectations, the degree of support for democracy was fairly consistent across age groups. Mendelson commented that the most disturbing aspect of this data was the large percentage of respondents who had no preference between democracy and authoritarianism.

Mendelson and Gerber's surveys also measured the level of hostility that respondents felt towards members of different ethnic groups. They found that Russians think positively about Swedes and Italians, negatively about Chechens, Gypsies, Azeris and Muslims, and neutrally about Jews, Catholics and Americans. The most disturbing aspect of this data, for both Gerber and Mendelson, is the level of hostility towards Chechens, Gypsies, Azeris and Muslims among under-30 respondents – the highest of any age group.

Although Chechens are the most negatively-perceived ethnic group, Gerber noted that various terrorist acts during the past year do not appear to have encouraged a more militant stance on the Chechen war. He explained that support for the status quo is very low, and that Russians are divided between those who want increased military action in Chechnya and those who support troop withdrawals or negotiations. The most common reactions to the war were alarm at the human and economic costs of the war to Russia; very few respondents were concerned about reports of the human rights violations committed by Russian soldiers.

The survey also examined Russians' views of NGOs, the media, political parties, and other institutions. Mendelson and Gerber found little trust in state institutions other than the President, who is trusted by more than three quarters of Russians. They also found a fairly positive attitude toward the media and NGOs. However, when questioned about specific NGOs, most respondents had never heard of several of the most prominent human rights organizations, indicating, in Mendelson's view, that these organizations need to focus more attention on publicity.

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Kennan Institute

The Kennan Institute is the premier US center for advanced research on Russia and Eurasia and the oldest and largest regional program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. The Kennan Institute is committed to improving American understanding of Russia, Ukraine, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the surrounding region though research and exchange.  Read more

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