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New Russia Barometer XVIII (June 2009)

A. ECONOMY
A1. Here is a scale for ranking how our economic system works: the top, plus 100, is the best; the bottom, minus 100, the worst.
A1a. Where on this scale would you put the Socialist economic system before the start of perestroika? (SHOW CARD with vertical scale)
100 The best
-100 The worst
999 Don't know

A1b. Where on this scale would you put our current economic system?
100 The best
-100 The worst
999 Don't know

A1c. Where on this scale would you expect our economic system to be in five years?
100 The best
-100 The worst
999 Don't know

A2. As for your own household, how do you rate its economic situation today?
Very satisfactory
Fairly satisfactory
Not very satisfactory
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:
Much better
A little better
About the same
A little worse
A lot worse

A4. What do you think the economic situation of your household will be in five years time?
Much better
A little better
About the same
A little worse
A lot worse

A5. Does your household have any of the following? (% Yes)
A5a. Colour television
A5b. VCR OR DVD-player/recorder
A5c. Car

A6. Do you get enough money from your main source of income to buy what you really need?
Definitely enough
Just enough
Not quite enough
Definitely not enough

A7. In the past twelve months has your family often, sometimes, rarely or never have to do without:
A7a. Food
Often
Sometimes
Rarely
Never

A7b. Heating or electricity
Often
Sometimes
Rarely
Never

A7c. Clothes, shoes that are really necessary
Often
Sometimes
Rarely
Never

A9. In the past year, has your household:
Saved money
Just got by
Spent some savings
Borrowed money
Spent savings and borrowed money

A.10a. Does your household have a plot of land where you grow food?
Yes Go to A11
No

IF NO:
A10b. Do you sometimes help relatives or friends grow food on their land?
Often
Sometimes
Seldom
Not at all

A11. Could you borrow as much as a month's wage or pension
A11a. From a bank?
Definitely
Probably
Probably not
Definitely not

A11b. From a friend or a relative?
Definitely
Probably
Probably not
Definitely not

A12a. Which activity on this card is the most important for the standard of living of you and your family?
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

A12b. And which is second in importance?
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
Don't know

A13. Do you think rising prices are the biggest threat to your family or unemployment?
Definitely rising prices
Rising prices more of a problem
Unemployment more of a problem
Definitely unemployment

A14. Do you think it is better when there are plenty of goods in the shops even if they are expensive
Definitely better
Somewhat better
OR is it better when prices are kept low by the state even if there are few goods in the shops
Definitely better
Somewhat better

A15. If you were shopping for something for the house, if the price was the same and there was a choice between a Russian product and a product imported from another country which would you buy?
Definitely Russian
Probably Russian
Probably imported
Definitely imported
(Do not read aloud but record if the reply is:) Depends

B. PUBLIC AFFAIRS
B1. Do you belong to any sports, arts, community or charitable organisation?
Yes
No

B2. How interested are you in politics?
Very interested
Somewhat interested
A little interested
Not at all interested

B3. 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.
B3a. Where on this scale would you put the former political system that we had before the start of perestroika?
100 The best
-100 The worst
999 Don't know

B3b. Where on this scale would you put our current system of governing?
100 The best
-100 The worst
999 Don't know

B3c. Where on this scale would you put our system of governing five years in the future?
100 The best
-100 The worst
999 Don't know

B4. 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?
B4a. We should return to Communist rule
Strongly agree
Somewhat agree
Somewhat disagree
Strongly disagree

B4b. A tough dictatorship is best in our current situation
Strongly agree
Somewhat agree
Somewhat disagree
Strongly disagree

B4c. The major economic decisions should be taken by economic experts rather than by elected officials
Strongly agree
Somewhat agree
Somewhat disagree
Strongly disagree

B4d. The army should govern the country
Strongly agree
Somewhat agree
Somewhat disagree
Strongly disagree

B5. How likely do you think it is that in the next few years:
B5a. The Communist system would be restored?
Very likely
Maybe
Not very likely
Not at all likely

B5b. A strong leader would replace government by an elected parliament?
Very likely
Maybe
Not very likely
Not at all likely

B5c. The army would govern the country?
Very likely
Maybe
Not very likely
Not at all likely

B6. 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?
Very likely
Maybe
Not very likely
Not at all likely

B7. If Parliament was closed down and parties abolished, would you:
Definitely approve
Somewhat approve
Somewhat disapprove
Definitely disapprove

B8. 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:....?
B8a. Everybody has a right to say what they think
Much better
Somewhat better
Much the same
Somewhat worse
Much worse

B8b. One can join any organisation one likes
Much better
Somewhat better
Much the same
Somewhat worse
Much worse

B8c. Everyone can decide individually whether or not to take an interest in politics
Much better
Somewhat better
Much the same
Somewhat worse
Much worse

B8d. Everybody has freedom of choice in religious matters
Much better
Somewhat better
Much the same
Somewhat worse
Much worse

B9. 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

B10. 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

B11. On a scale of 1-10 where 1 is total disapproval and 10 is complete approval, how much do you approve or disapprove of the performance of:?
B11a. Dmitry Medvedev as president of Russia
1 Total disapproval
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 Complete approval

B11b. Vladimir Putin as prime minister of Russia
1 Total disapproval
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 Complete approval

B11c. The government of Russia as a whole
1 Total disapproval
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 Complete approval

B12. Which broad political outlook are you most inclined to favour? (Show card: Only one choice)
Pro-market
Social democratic
Communist
Great power patriot
Environmentalist, green
Other
None

B13. Do you know the name of the governor of this region?
Correct
Incorrect
Don't know
No governor elected, repeat ballot will be held

B14. Which of the parties and fractions in the Duma participate actively in the political life of your oblast? (Do NOT read out. More than one party can be named)
Yabloko
United Russia
LDPR
Fair Russia
KPRF
Patriots of Russia
Right Cause
None of the above
Don't know

B15. 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.
B15a. Courts
Trusts
Neutral
Does not trust

B15b. Political parties
Trusts
Neutral
Does not trust

B15c. Army
Trusts
Neutral
Does not trust

B15d. Parliament
Trusts
Neutral
Does not trust

B15e. Police
Trusts
Neutral
Does not trust

B16. To what extent to you trust: (Scale with 1 for no trust at all and 7 great trust).
B16a. Most people in this country
Trusts
Neutral
Does not trust

B16b. Most people you know
Trusts
Neutral
Does not trust

B17. What should a person who needs a government permit do if the response of the official handling the application is: "just be patient and wait?" [SHOW CARD; ONE ANSWER ONLY]
Use connections to obtain the permit
Nothing can be done
Wait and hope that things will work out
Write a letter
Act without a permit
Give a bribe to an official
Don't know

B18. How much respect do you think this country's government has for individual human rights?
A lot of respect
Some respect
Not much respect
No respect at all

B19. Do you think the president of Russia should have the right to suspend the Duma and introduce presidential rule by decree if he considers that necessary?
Strongly agree
Somewhat agree
Somewhat disagree
Strongly disagree

B20. 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

B21. 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
B21a. Where would you like our political system to be?
1 Complete dictatorship
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 Complete democracy

B21b. Where would you place our country at the present time?
1 Complete dictatorship
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 Complete democracy

B21c. Where would you expect our country to be in five years time?
1 Complete dictatorship
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 Complete democracy

B22. How widespread do you think bribe-taking and corruption are in this country?
Very few public officials are corrupt
Less than half are corrupt
Most public officials are engaged in it
Almost all public officials are engaged in it

C. RUSSIA IN THE WORLD
C1. The European Union is a league of 27 states. Do you happen to know which of these cities is its headquarters? (Choose one)
Berlin
Paris
London
Brussels
Rome
Don't know

C2a. With which of the following do you most closely identify yourself? (SHOW CARD)
Local community or city in which I live
Region
Russia
Soviet Union
Other CIS country
Europe
Other

C2b. And which do you identify with secondly?
Local community or city in which I live
Region
Russia
Soviet Union
Other CIS country
Europe
Other

C3. How proud are you of being a citizen of this country?
Very proud
Somewhat proud
Not very proud
Not at all proud

C4. 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?
Definitely CIS
More with CIS
More with Western Europe
Definitely Western Europe
(DON'T READ) Don't know

C5. Do you think any of these pose a real threat to peace and security in this society?
C5a. United States
Big threat
Some threat
Little threat
No threat

C5b. Germany
Big threat
Some threat
Little threat
No threat

C5c. Countries neighbouring Russia
Big threat
Some threat
Little threat
No threat

C5d. National minorities in our society
Big threat
Some threat
Little threat
No threat

C5e. Immigrants/refugees from other societies
Big threat
Some threat
Little threat
No threat

C6. Do you think Russia is a great power at present?
Definitely yes
Probably yes
Probably not
Definitely not

C7. Which do you think is more important: Russia should be a great power respected by other countries; OR. Russia should be a country with a high standard of living?
Definitely a respected great power
Great power more important
High standard of living more important
Definitely a high standard of living

C8. Do you think Russia is now Y?
Fully open to other countries
Mostly open
Mostly closed
Completely closed
Don't know

C9. Would you prefer Russia in future to beY?
More open to other countries
Neither more open, no more closed than now
Less inclined to let other countries into its life
Don't know

D. RUSSIAN LIFE TODAY
D1. How have the big changes in society since Soviet times affected you?
My life is better now
I have adapted to the changes
Still trying to adapt
I live as before, don't notice changes
I am unable to adjust

D2. How likely do you think it is that in the next twelve months there will be mass demonstrations and protests about:
D2a. The current policy of the Russian government?
Very likely
Somewhat likely
Probably won't
Definitely won't

D2b. Inflation
Very likely
Somewhat likely
Probably won't
Definitely won't

D2c. Unemployment
Very likely
Somewhat likely
Probably won't
Definitely won't

D3. If such mass demonstrations and protests occur, will you take part if they relate to:
D3a. The current policy of the Russian government?
Very likely
Somewhat likely
Probably won't
Definitely won't

D3b. Inflation?
Very likely
Somewhat likely
Probably won't
Definitely won't

D3c. Unemployment?
Very likely
Somewhat likely
Probably won't
Definitely won't

D4. Do you think Russia's leaders control the present situation of the country?
Definitely control
To a large extent control
Not much control
Definitely out of their control

D5. Where would you place the blame for our current economic problems (Show card)
D5a. Former Communist regime
Definitely
To some extent
A little
Not at all

D5b. The government of Russia
Definitely
To some extent
A little
Not at all

D5c. Prime Minister Putin
Definitely
To some extent
A little
Not at all

D5d. Foreign governments
Definitely
To some extent
A little
Not at all

D5e. Russians as a people
Definitely
To some extent
A little
Not at all

D5f. Jews
Definitely
To some extent
A little
Not at all

D5g. Businessmen
Definitely
To some extent
A little
Not at all

D6. Do you think Russian life today is that of a normal society?
Definitely Go to question D8
Fairly normal Go to question D7
Only a little "
Not at all normal "

D7. IF not definitely 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

D8. Do you think any of the following are possible this year?
D8a. Mass unemployment
Definitely yes
Perhaps
Unlikely
Definitely no
Don't know

D8b. An economic crisis like in 1998
Definitely yes
Perhaps
Unlikely
Definitely no
Don't know

D8c. Sharp deterioration in the availability of food in shops
Definitely yes
Perhaps
Unlikely
Definitely no
Don't know

D8d. Armed conflict with a neighbouring country
Definitely yes
Perhaps
Unlikely
Definitely no
Don't know

D8e. Big rises in price
Definitely yes
Perhaps
Unlikely
Definitely no
Don't know

E. VALUES
E1. In politics people sometimes talk of "left" and "right". Where would you place yourself on this card where 0 means the left and 10 means the right? [CARD should be HORIZONTAL]
0 Left
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 Right
Don't know

E2. In all countries there sometimes exists tension between social groups.
In your opinion, how much tension is there between each of the following groups in this country?
E2a. Poor and rich people
A lot of tension
Some tension
Not much
No tension

E2b. Management and workers
A lot of tension
Some tension
Not much
No tension

E2c. Men and women
A lot of tension
Some tension
Not much
No tension

E2d. Old people and young people
A lot of tension
Some tension
Not much
No tension

E2e. Different racial and ethnic groups
A lot of tension
Some tension
Not much
No tension

E2f. Different religious groups
A lot of tension
Some tension
Not much
No tension

E3. We often hear the following words. What feelings do they evoke?
E3a. Christianity
Positive
Negative
Difficult to answer

E3b. Marxism-Leninism
Positive
Negative
Difficult to answer

E3c. Socialism
Positive
Negative
Difficult to answer

E3d. Capitalism
Positive
Negative
Difficult to answer

E3e. Glasnost
Positive
Negative
Difficult to answer

E3f. United and indivisible Russia
Positive
Negative
Difficult to answer

E3g. Perestroika
Positive
Negative
Difficult to answer

E3h. Freedom
Positive
Negative
Difficult to answer

E4. With the introduction of the market, some people have been able to make more money. Which of these words do you think applies to people who are now making money?
E4a. Lucky
Applies
Doesn't apply

E4b. Work hard
Applies
Doesn't apply

E4c. Take advantage of other people
Applies
Doesn't apply

E4d. Help make our economy grow
Applies
Doesn't apply

E4e. Use political connections, nomenklatura
Applies
Doesn't apply

E4f. Intelligent
Applies
Doesn't apply

E4g. Use foreign connections
Applies
Doesn't apply

E4h. Dishonest
Applies
Doesn't apply

E5. On this card are contrasting opinions about issues. Please state with which alternative you are more inclined to agree. (SHOW CARD):
E5a. Incomes should be made more equal, so there is no great difference
Definitely agree
Somewhat agree
OR
Individual achievement should determine how much people are paid
Definitely agree
Somewhat agree

E5b. Individuals should take responsibility for themselves and their livelihood
Definitely agree
Somewhat agree
OR
The state should be responsible for everyone's material security
Definitely agree
Somewhat agree

E5c. State ownership is the best way to run an enterprise
Definitely agree
Somewhat agree
OR
An enterprise is best run by private entrepreneurs
Definitely agree
Somewhat agree

E5d. A good job is one that is secure even if it doesn't pay very much
Definitely agree
Somewhat agree
OR
A good job pays a lot of money, even if it is not so secure
Definitely agree
Somewhat agree

F. HEALTH
F1. Over the past 12 months, would you say your physical health has been:
Very good
Good
Average
Poor
Very poor

F2. Over the past 12 months, would you say your emotional health has been:
Very good
Good
Average
Poor
Very poor

F3. Do you smoke cigarettes?
Yes, smoke now
Smoked in past
Have never smoked

F4. Do you sometimes drink alcoholic beverages? If so, how often?
Never drink Go to F6
Less than once a month Go to F5
About once a month "
2-4 times a month "
Weekly "
Several times a week "

F5. On average how much do you drink in one go?
Less than a measure of vodka, glass of wine or bottle of beer
One measure of vodka, glass of wine or bottle of beer
Two measures of vodka, half a bottle of wine or litre of beer
Big glass of vodka, bottle of wine or two litres of beer
A bottles of vodka, two bottles of wine or four litres of beer
More than bottle of vodka, two bottles of wine or four litres of beer

F6. 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 No control
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 Great deal of control

F7. Below is a list of the ways you might have felt or behaved during the last week. For each of the following statements, please say whether you felt that way for much of the time (3 days or more) during the past week:
During the past week for much of the time:
F7a. I felt depressed
Yes
No

F7b. I felt that everything I did was an effort
Yes
No

F7c. My sleep was restless
Yes
No

F7d. I was happy
Yes
No

F7e. I felt lonely
Yes
No

F7f. People were unfriendly
Yes
No

F7g. I enjoyed life
Yes
No

F7h. I felt sad
Yes
No

F7i. I felt people disliked me
Yes
No

F7j. I could not get going
Yes
No

F8. During the last 12 months, have you had an illness that kept you away from work or meant you could not go about your normal activities for more than a week?
No
Yes

F9. If yes, would you tell us whether this episode was related to (you can indicate more than one option):
Cold
Surgery/Operation
Heart disease
Stroke
Injury/Accident
Other

F10. 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)
F10a. Yes, self
Yes
No

F10b. Yes, member of family
Yes
No

F10c. Yes, friend
Yes
No

F10d. No one experienced crime
Yes
No

G. SOCIAL STRUCTURE
G1. How old are you? _____ (Record age in years)

G2. Record Gender
Male
Female

G3. What is your current marital status?
Never married
Live together but not married
Married and live together
Married but live apart
Divorced
Widow(er)

G4. What is your economic status?
Employed fulltime or part time Go to G5
Unemployed, seeking work
Pensioner Go to G6
Drawing pension and employed Go to G6
Student Go to G7
Housewife Go to G7
Other Go to G7

IF EMPLOYED:
G5. In the past 12 months at any time have you been:
G5a. Unemployed
Yes
No

G5b. Received wages late
Yes
No

G5c. Not been paid at all
Yes
No

IF PENSIONER:
G6. In the past 12 months at any time has your
G6a. Pension been paid late
Yes
No

G6b. Pension not been paid at all
Yes
No

ASK ALL:
G7. 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
Complete secondary, vocational
Complete academic secondary
Technical college
Higher incomplete
University degree

G8.Do you know any of the following languages well enough to read a newspaper article? (Circle all that apply)
G8a. English
G8b. German
G8c. Other European language
G8d. Other Slavic language
G8e. Other

G9. Do you sometimes use the Internet?
Yes, almost every day
Yes, at least every week
Occasionally
No, don't use Internet

G10. Do you identify with any political party?
Yes
No

G11. Which party would you vote for if a parliamentary election were held this week? (SHOW CARD, one answer only)
Yabloko
United Russia
LDPR
Fair Russia
KPRF
Patriots of Russia
Right Cause
None of the above
Don't know

G12. And which of the following parties would you NEVER in any circumstances vote for in elections to the Russian State Duma? (Several answers possible)
Yabloko
United Russia
LDPR
Fair Russia
KPRF
Patriots of Russia
Right Cause
None of the above
Don't know

G13. Looking at this card, what would you say was the total income of your family during the last month from all sources? (SHOW CARD)

G14. What religious group do you belong to?
Orthodox Church
Roman Catholic
Protestant
Jewish
Moslem
Other
Not a believer Go to G16

G15. (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

G16. 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
Don't know


CSPP School of Government & Public Policy U. of Strathclyde Glasgow G1 1XQ Scotland
Email: cspp@strath.ac.uk