New Russia Barometer XIV Questionnaire
INSTRUCTIONS TO INTERVIEWERS:
Do NOT prompt respondent by offering Dont Know as an alternative unless explicitly
instructed to do so in the questionnaire.
IF a respondent replies "I don't know", this should be coded: eg.
99
IF a respondent's answer does not fit any of the pre-coded alternatives, code:
NO RESPONSE: Code eg. 98
A ECONOMY
A1 Here is a scale for ranking how the economic system works: the top, plus
100, is the best; the bottom, minus 100, the worst (SHOW CARD)
*SHOW CARD should have a VERTICAL scale: Plus 100 at top and minus 100 at
bottom. It should NOT have "don't know" printed on it.
1a. Where on this scale would you put the Socialist economic system before
the revolution of 1989?
1b. Where on this scale would you put our current economic system?
1c. Where would you put our economic system in five years time?
A2. As for your own household, how do you rate its economic situation today?
1. Very satisfactory
2. Fairly satisfactory
3. Not very satisfactory
4. Very unsatisfactory
A3. When you compare the overall economic situation of your household with
what it was before the big transformation in the economy. Would you say that
in the past it was:
1. Much better
2. A little better
3. About the same
4. A little worse
5. A lot worse
A4. What do you think the economic situation of your household will be in
five years time?
1. Much better
2. A little better
3. About the same
4. A little worse
5. A lot worse
A5. Does your household have any of the following?
5a. Colour television (For each record: Yes/ No)
5b. Video cassette recorder
5c. Car
A6. Do you get enough money from your main source of income to buy what you
really need?
1. Definitely enough
2. Just enough
3. Not quite enough
4. Definitely not enough
A 6.1 In the past twelve months did your family often, sometimes, rarely or
never have to do without:
Often/ Sometimes/ Rarely/ Never
a) Food
b) Heating,
c) Electricity
d) Clothes, shoes that are really necessary
A7a. If your household was very short of money, is there a friend or relative
from whom you could borrow as much as a month's wage or pension?
1. Definitely
2. Probably
3. Probably not
4. Definitely not
A7b. In the past year, has your household:
1. Saved money
2. Just got by
3. Spent some savings
4. Borrowed money
5. Spent savings and borrowed money
A 7.1 a. Which activity on this card is the most important for the standard
of living of you and your family?
b. And which is second in importance?
(SHOW CARD) (Only one answer for a, for b)
-Growing own food
-Repairing (enlarging) house
-What we get as favours
-What we get with the help of friends and relatives
-What we get in foreign currency
-Earnings in second job, income from own business
-Money that we get on the side, private services, commissions, tips
-Earnings from regular job
-Pension or unemployment money
-Benefits given at work, like meals, holidays, housing
A8. How long will it be before you have reached a standard of living with
which you are content?
1-2 years
3-5 years
6-10 years
More than 10 years
Never
Don't know
Already content
A9.1 On this card you will find a set of contrasting opinions about public
problems. Please say which alternative you agree with, whether strongly or
somewhat (SHOW CARD)
A9.2 a) Rising prices are the biggest threat to our family
Definitely agree 1
Somewhat agree 2
OR
b) Unemployment is the biggest threat to our family
Definitely agree 3
Somewhat agree 4
A9.3 a) Do you think it is better when there are plenty of goods in the shops
even if they are expensive
Definitely agree 1
Somewhat agree 2
OR
b) Is it better when prices are kept low by the state even if there are few
goods in the shops
Definitely agree 3
Somewhat agree 4
A9.4 a) Multinational companies should be able to sell their products, such
as soft drinks, television sets, and cars in this country.
Definitely agree 1
Somewhat agree 2
OR
b) People should buy only goods produced in this country.
Definitely agree 3
Somewhat agree 4
A10. Now let's consider some things that might happen in this country in the
next few years. How likely do you think it would be that:
Very likely / Maybe / Not very likely/ Not at all likely/
a. Fighting would break out in another predominantly non-Russian region besides
Chechnya
b. There would be a big HIV-AIDs epidemic threatening the lives of millions
of people in Russia
c. There would be another explosion at a nuclear power station like happened
at Chernobyl?
d. The cost of energy for heating would become so high that we couldn't afford
to heat our house properly in winter?
e. Russia would regain its status as a great power in the world?
B. PUBLIC AFFAIRS
B1. How interested would you say you are in politics?
1. Very interested
2. Somewhat interested
3. A little interested
4. Not at all interested
B2. Here is a scale for ranking how our system of government works. The top,
plus 100, is the best; the bottom, minus 100, the worst. (SHOW CARD: Note
the scale is VERTICAL. It should NOT have the words "don't know"
printed on it)
2a. Where on this scale would you put the former Communist regime?
2b. Where on this scale would you put our current system of governing with
free elections and many parties?
2c. Where on this scale would you put our system of governing five years in
the future?
B 3. Our present system of government is not the only one that this country
has had. Some people say that we would be better off if the country was governed
differently. What do you think?
3a. We should return to Communist rule?
1. Strongly agree
2. Somewhat agree
3. Somewhat disagree
4. Strongly disagree
3b. A tough dictatorship is the only way out of the current situation?
1. Strongly agree
2. Somewhat agree
3. Somewhat disagree
4. Strongly disagree
3c. The army should govern the country?
1. Strongly agree
2. Somewhat agree
3. Somewhat disagree
4. Strongly disagree
B4 How LIKELY do you think it is that in the next few years:
4a. The Communist system would be restored?
Very likely/ Maybe / Not very likely/ Not at all likely
4b. A strong leader would replace government by an elected parliament?
Very likely/ Maybe / Not very likely/ Not at all likely
4c. The army would govern the country?
Very likely/ Maybe / Not very likely/ Not at all likely
B5. Compared to our system of government before perestroika, would you say
our current system is better, much the same, or worse than the old system
in terms of whether:....?
5a. Everybody has a right to say what they think
Much better
Somewhat better
Much the same
Somewhat worse
Much worse
5b. One can join any organisation one likes
Much better
Somewhat better
Much the same
Somewhat worse
Much worse
5c. Everyone can decide individually whether or not to take an interest in
politics
Much better
Somewhat better
Much the same
Somewhat worse
Much worse
5d. Everybody has freedom of choice in religious matters
Much better
Somewhat better
Much the same
Somewhat worse
Much worse
B6. Under our present system of government do you think people like yourself
are treated equally and fairly by government.
Definitely agree
Somewhat agree
Disagree somewhat
Definitely disagree
B7. Under our present system of government how much influence do you think
people like yourself can have on government?
A lot of influence
Some influence
Not much influence
No influence
B8. How many elected politicians care what people like you think?
Most politicians care
About half care
Less than half care
Hardly any care
B9. Would you say that the most recent election of parliament was conducted
fairly or not?
It was a fair election
To some extent fair
Not very fair
Not at all fair
B10. How much respect do you think this country's government has for individual
human rights?
1. A lot of respect
2. Some respect
3. Not much respect
4. No respect at all
B11. How widespread do you think bribe-taking and corruption are in this country?
1. Very few public officials are corrupt
2. Less than half are corrupt
3. Most public officials are engaged in it
4. Almost all public officials are engaged in it
B12, Which broad political outlook are you most inclined to favour? (Show
card: Only one choice)
1. Pro-market,
2. Social democratic
3. Communist
4. National traditions
5. Environmentalist, green
6. Other
7. None
B13 Do you think the president of Russia should have the right to suspend
the Duma and introduce presidential rule by decree is he considers that necessary?
Strongly agree
Somewhat agree
Somewhat disagree
Strongly disagree.
B14 Do you think the Duma should have the right to stop the President taking
decisions that it considers wrong?
Strongly agree
Somewhat agree
Somewhat disagree
Strongly disagree.
B 15 What assessment would you give to Vladimir Putin as President, if '1'
is very bad and '10' is the best mark?
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
B 16 At present, the Constitution says that Vladimir Putin is ineligible to
be a candidate for a third term as president in 2008. What should he do in
this situation?
Change constitution so he can stand for election again
Appoint a successor
Leave the voters with a free choice of his successor
Don?t know
C. RUSSIA AND THE WORLD
C0.1 Do you have any relatives or close friends living in the West?
None
One or two
A lot
NO ANSWER
C0.2 Do you know any of the following languages well enough to read a newspaper
article? (circle all that apply)
.English
.German
.Other Slavic language
.Other European language
.Other
C1a. With which of the following do you most closely identify yourself? (SHOW
CARD)
C1b. And which do you identify with secondly?
(Two answers: code which is chosen lst, which 2nd)
a. Local community or city in which I live
b. Region
c. Country:
d. Soviet Union
e. Other CIS country
f. Europe
g. Other
C2RUS. In Soviet times, everyone's nationality was indicated in their passport.
What nationality was indicated in your passport?
1 Russian
2 Tatar
3 Ukrainian
4 Chuvash
5 Bashkir
6 Belarussian
7 Mordvin
8 Other
9 Never had a Soviet passport
C3. Are you proud of being a citizen of this country?
1. Very proud
2. Somewhat proud
3. Not very proud
4. Not at all proud
C4. Do you think any of these pose a real threat to peace and security in
this society? (READ OUT NAMES OF EACH)
Big threat / Some threat Little threat / No threat
4a) United States
4b) Germany
4c) Neighbouring countries
4d) National minorities in our society
4e) Immigrants/refugees from other societies
C5. Some say that Russia's future lies with the countries of Western Europe.
Others think it lies with countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States
(CIS). Which is closer to your view? (one answer only)
Definitely CIS
More with CIS
More with Western Europe
Definitely Western Europe
C6 Do you think Russian life today is that of a normal society?
Definitely Go to question D1.
Fairly normal: Go to question C7
Only a little "
Not at all normal "
C7. IF not already normal: How long do you think it will be before Russia
becomes a normal society?
1-2 years
3-5 years
6-10 years
Never
Difficult to know if it ever will be normal
C8 What do you think is the biggest obstacles to Russia becoming a normal
society? (SHOW CARD) And second biggest?
1st 2nd biggest obstacle
.National traditions against it
.How ordinary people behave in everyday life
.Way Kremlin ordinarily behaves
.Legacy from Soviet times
.Transition to a market economy
.Laws not enforced, corruption in government
.Low wages, unemployment
D. SOCIAL AFFAIRS
D1. Do you belong to any sports, arts, community or charitable organization?
Yes/No
D2. Do you identify with any political party?
Yes/ No
D3. Some people say that government often seems so complicated that they cannot
really understand what is going on . As far this statement is concerned, would
you:
Definitely agree
Somewhat agree
Somewhat disagree
Definitely disagree
D4. To what extent do you trust each of the following institutions to look
after your interests? Please indicate on a scale with 1 for no trust at all
and 7 great trust.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
a. Courts
b. Political parties
c. Army
d. Parliament
e. Police
f. President
g. Trade unions
h. Orthodox Church
i. Dumas member for your district
j. Security services: FSB
k. Most people in this country
l. Most people you know
D5. Do you think that people like yourself ought to make the big decisions
about what government does OR that this should be the job of elected politicians?
1 Definitely ordinary people
2 Usually ordinary people
3 Usually elected politicians
4 Definitely elected politicians
D6 Do you think it would be a good idea if referendums were held frequently
so that you could vote for or against major changes in the law?
1. Definitely agree
2. Somewhat agree
3. Somewhat disagree
4. Definitely disagree
D7. With which of the following statements do you agree most?
1. Democracy is preferable to any other kind of government.
2. Under some circumstances, an authoritarian government can be preferable
to a democratic one.
3. For people like me, it does not matter whether we have a democratic or
a non-democratic regime
D8. And do you think that these changes, which have imposed so many hardships,
will bring positive results to the majority of people of this country sooner
OR later?
Yes, in the next five years
Yes, in the next ten years
Eventually yes
Never
Don't know
E. VALUES
E1. On this card you will find a set of contrasting opinions about public
problems. Please say which alternative you agree with, whether strongly or
somewhat
E1.1 a) Incomes should be made more equal, so there is no great difference
Definitely agree 1
Somewhat agree 2
OR
b) Individual achievement should determine how much people are paid
Definitely agree 3
Somewhat agree 4
E1.2 a) Individuals should take responsibility for themselves and their livelihood
Definitely agree 1
Somewhat agree 2
0R
b) The state should be responsible for everyone's material security
Definitely agree 3
Somewhat agree 4
E1.3 a) State ownership is the best way to run an enterprise
Definitely agree 1
Somewhat agree 2
OR
b) An enterprise is best run by private entrepreneurs
Definitely agree 3
Somewhat agree 4
E1.4 a) A good job is one that is secure even if it doesn't pay very much
Definitely agree 1
Somewhat agree 2
OR
b) A good job pays a lot of money, even if it is not so secure
Definitely agree 3
Somewhat agree 4
E1.5 a) Government should cut taxes even if it means reducing spending on
education, health care and pensions
Definitely agree 1
Somewhat agree 2
OR
b) Even if it means people like myself pay more in taxes, government should
spend more on education, health and pensions
Definitely agree 3
Somewhat agree 4
E2. On the whole, are you very satisfied, fairly satisfied, not very satisfied,
or not at all satisfied with the way democracy works in our country?
1. Very satisfied
2. Fairly satisfied
3. Not very satisfied
4. Not at all satisfied
E3a. Some people think this country would be better governed if parliament
were closed down and all parties were abolished. How likely do you think this
is to happen in the next few years?
1. Very likely
2. Maybe
3. Not very likely
4. Not at all likely
E3b. If Parliament was closed down and parties abolished, would you:
1. Definitely approve
2. Somewhat approve
3. Somewhat disapprove
4. Definitely disapprove
E4. Here is a scale ranging from a low of 1 to a high 10: 1 means complete
dictatorship and 10 means complete democracy. (SHOW CARD)
NB: This scale should be HORIZONTAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Complete Complete
Dictatorship Democracy
E4 a. Where would you like our political system to be?
E4 b. Where would you place our country at the present time?
E4 c. Where would you expect our country to be in five years time?
E 5. Do you think having regular elections makes politicians do what people
want.
To a large extent
To some extent
Not very much
Not at all
F. HEALTH AND PERSONAL SECURITY
F 1. How would you evaluate the work of the police in preventing crime in
your community?
Very good
Fairly good
Not so good
Bad
F 2. In the past year, have you or anyone in your family or friends been the
victim of a crime on the street or had your house broken into? (More than
one answer acceptable)
Yes, self
Yes, member of family
Yes, friend
No one experienced crime
F 3. Over the past 12 months, would you say your physical health has been:
Very good
Good
Average
Poor
Very poor
F 4. Over the past 12 months, would you say your emotional health has been:
Very good
Good
Average
Poor
Very poor
F 5. How would you evaluate the current system for health care in this country?
Very good
Fairly good
Not so good
Bad
F 6. Some people feel they have completely free choice and control over their
lives, while others feel that what they do has no real effect on what happens
to them. How about yourself?
Where would you place yourself on this scale, where (1) represents having
no freedom or control over how your life turns out and (10) represents having
a great deal of free choice and control? SHOW CARD: HORIZONTAL SCALE
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
None Great deal
F.7 Do you smoke cigarettes?
Yes, smoke now
Smoked in past
Have never smoked
F.8 Here is a list of activities that you might do during a typical day. Does
your health now limit your ability in these activities? If so, how much? (SHOW
CARD)
Three options for each item below:
1 Yes, limited a lot
2 Yes, limited a little
3 No, not limited at all
F8a. Vigorous activities such as running, lifting heavy objects, participating
in strenuous sports.
F8b. Moderate activities such as moving a table, pushing a vacuum cleaner.
F8c. Lifting or carrying a bag of groceries.
F8d Climbing several flights of stairs
F8e Climbing one flight of stairs
F8f Bending, kneeling or stooping
F8g Walking two kilometres
F8h Walking one kilometre
F8i Walking one hundred metres
F8j Bathing and dressing yourself
G. SOCIAL CONDITIONS
G1. How old are you? _____ (Record age in years)
G2. Record Gender Female / Male
G3. What is your current marital status?
Never married
Live together but not married
Married but live apart
Married and live together
Divorced
Widow(er)
G4a. What is your economic status?
Employed fulltime or part time: Go to 4b
Unemployed, seeking work Go to G4b
Pensioner Go to G 4e
Drawing pension AND employed Go to G4e
Student Go to G5
Housewife ? ? ?
Other ? ? ?
IF EMPLOYED:
G4b. Are you a member of a trade union?
G4c Which of the following best describes your employer? Is it: (Read out)
1. State budgetary organization (e.g. school, hospital)
2. State-owned enterprise
3. Privatized enterprise
4. Mixed state-private
5. New private enterprise since 1990
6. Foreign-owned enterprise, joint venture
7. Other
G4d In the past 12 months at any time have you been:
a. Unemployed Yes/ No
b. Received wages late Yes/ No
c. Not been paid at all Yes/ No
G4e (IF pensioner): In the past 12 months at any time has your
a. Pension been paid late Yes/ No
b. Pension not been paid at all Yes/ No
G5 What is your highest level of education?
(IF a student, record qualification for which currently studying, for example
university degree or technical college qualification)
Elementary or lower
Incomplete secondary
Incomplete secondary, vocational
Complete academic secondary
Complete secondary, vocational
Technical college
Higher incomplete
University degree
G 6. In this envelope is a ballot with the names of political parties. Please
put a cross by the name of the party that you would vote for if a parliamentary
election were held this week?
[Code replies as in the standard practice of your institute]
G6.1 Have you heard of the Internet?
Yes
No Go to G7.
G6.2 Do you sometimes use the Internet?
Yes
No Go to G6.5
G6.3 What place or places do you access the Internet?
(More than one answer acceptable)
Work
School
Home
Friend?s home
Internet cafe
Other
G6.4 Do you sometimes use the Internet to consult websites outside the CIS
countries or to send emails there?
1 Consult websites
2 Send emails
3 Both
4 Neither
G6.5 Do you know anyone in your family, friends, workplace or school, who
accesses the Internet?
1 Yes, several people
2 Yes, one person
3 Dont know anyone
G7 . Looking at this card, what would you say was the total income of your
family during the last month from all sources? (SHOW CARD)
USE STANDARD INCOME CATEGORIES OF THE SURVEY INSTITUTE
G8a. What religious group do you belong to?
Orthodox Church
Roman Catholic
Protestant
Jewish
Moslem
Other
Not a believer: Go to G 9
G8b (If names a religion) How often do you go to church or religious services?
At least once a week
Once or twice a month
A few times a year
About once a year
Less often
Never go to church
G 9. There are people in a high position in this society and others who have
a low status. Where would you put yourself on this ladder: (SHOW CARD with
vertical ladder as below):
7=Highest status
6
5
4
3
2
1 =Lowest status
NOT ASKED IN RUSSIA
G 10. Do you think people today are afraid to say what they think to foreigners?
1. Definitely afraid
2. Somewhat
3. Not particularly
4. Not at all afraid
ASK IN ALL COUNTRIES
G11. Town size: use the standard categories coded by the institute.