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New Europe Barometer (Croatia) 2005 Questionnaire

1. Please assess the likelihood with which the events listed below will occur within a relatively short period after this country has joined the EU, say no more than five years after . Mark the likelihood for each statement according to the scale:
1a) The economic situation of the country will improve.
Will definitely happen
Will probably happen
Will probably not happen
Will definitely not happen

1b) Taxes will go up.
Will definitely happen
Will probably happen
Will probably not happen
Will definitely not happen

1c) The political stability of the country will improve.
Will definitely happen
Will probably happen
Will probably not happen
Will definitely not happen

1d) People will be able to work in other EU Member States.
Will definitely happen
Will probably happen
Will probably not happen
Will definitely not happen

1e) Prices will increase.
Will definitely happen
Will probably happen
Will probably not happen
Will definitely not happen

1f) People will be able to be self-employed in other EU Member States.
Will definitely happen
Will probably happen
Will probably not happen
Will definitely not happen

1g) Unemployment will decrease.
Will definitely happen
Will probably happen
Will probably not happen
Will definitely not happen

1h) Social benefits will be cut back.
Will definitely happen
Will probably happen
Will probably not happen
Will definitely not happen

1i) Foreign capital will flow into the country.
Will definitely happen
Will probably happen
Will probably not happen
Will definitely not happen

1j) Cultural values and customs will be lost.
Will definitely happen
Will probably happen
Will probably not happen
Will definitely not happen

1k) Corruption will decrease.
Will definitely happen
Will probably happen
Will probably not happen
Will definitely not happen

1l) National sovereignty will be lost.
Will definitely happen
Will probably happen
Will probably not happen
Will definitely not happen

1m) Standard of wages will rise.
Will definitely happen
Will probably happen
Will probably not happen
Will definitely not happen

1n) People will emigrate.
Will definitely happen
Will probably happen
Will probably not happen
Will definitely not happen

1o) The infrastructure (roads, means of transport, energy supply, etc.) will improve.
Will definitely happen
Will probably happen
Will probably not happen
Will definitely not happen

1p) Our companies will face severe competition.
Will definitely happen
Will probably happen
Will probably not happen
Will definitely not happen

1q) Companies will move to other countries.
Will definitely happen
Will probably happen
Will probably not happen
Will definitely not happen

1r) Environmental projects will be done jointly.
Will definitely happen
Will probably happen
Will probably not happen
Will definitely not happen

1s) There will be more German and Austrian investments and a broader range of jobs.
Will definitely happen
Will probably happen
Will probably not happen
Will definitely not happen

1t) EU foreigners will buy up real estate and land cheap.
Will definitely happen
Will probably happen
Will probably not happen
Will definitely not happen

1u) Traffic projects will be done jointly.
Will definitely happen
Will probably happen
Will probably not happen
Will definitely not happen

1v) Crime (prostitution and other negative acts) will increase.
Will definitely happen
Will probably happen
Will probably not happen
Will definitely not happen

1w) National tensions will increase.
Will definitely happen
Will probably happen
Will probably not happen
Will definitely not happen

2. Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia (FYROM) and Albania are making efforts to become members of the European Union. Would you approve or disapprove membership of these countries or do you have no preference?
2a) Bulgaria
Approve
Disapprove
No preference

2b) Romania
Approve
Disapprove
No preference

2c) Serbia and Montenegro
Approve
Disapprove
No preference

2d) Bosnia and Herzegovina
Approve
Disapprove
No preference

2e) Macedonia (FYROM)
Approve
Disapprove
No preference

2f) Albania
Approve
Disapprove
No preference

3. We would like you to consider your general living conditions. Here are a series of ladders. The highest point represents the best living condition you can imagine; the lowest point represents the worst living condition you can imagine.
3a) First, as to your current living condition. Where on this ladder would you locate your current living condition?
1 Best living condition
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11 Worst living condition

Mean
Standard deviation

3b) What are your personal expectations for the future? Where would you classify the life you expect to lead five years from now?
1 Best living condition
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11 Worst living condition

Mean
Standard deviation

3c) Now please recall how it was five years ago. Where would you classify your living condition then?
1 Best living condition
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11 Worst living condition

Mean
Standard deviation

3d) Where would you classify the living condition of your friends and acquaintances?
1 Best living condition
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11 Worst living condition

Mean
Standard deviation

4. 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?
7 Highest position
6
5
4
3
2
1 Lowest position

Mean
Standard deviation

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

6. Do you receive money from friends and/or relatives abroad?
Yes, sometimes
Yes, regularly
No

7. If receives money: How important to your household is the money you receive from abroad?
Essential
Useful
Makes a small difference
Nice to have but not really necessary

8. Does your household have any of the following? saying yes:
a) Colour television 100
b) Video cassette recorder or DVD 92
c) Car 85
d) Do you sometimes use the Internet
at home or elsewhere?


9. Have you worked abroad for a limited period of time?
Yes

10. Do you think that privatising publicly-owned enterprises is … ?
A good thing
A bad thing
Don't know/no answer

11. What do you see as the consequences of privatisation in this country for:
11a) Wages/salaries
Will improve
Will not change
Will deteriorate

11b) Prices
Will improve
Will not change
Will deteriorate

11c) Job security
Will improve
Will not change
Will deteriorate

11d) Social benefits
Will improve
Will not change
Will deteriorate

11e) Career opportunities
Will improve
Will not change
Will deteriorate

12. Is it easy or difficult to start up a company in your country?
Difficult
If replied “difficult”:
13. Why is it difficult? (more than one answer permitted)
13a) Lack of knowledge how to start up
and run a company
13b) Bureaucracy is so slow
13c) Mafia eat up all you earn
13d) No chance to sell the goods you produce
13e) Start-up capital is lacking
13f) Difficult to get a loan
13g) Interest rates are too high
13h) Taxes are too high
13i) Information and advice on developing a
business is lacking

14. Do you think multinational companies should be able to sell their products, such as soft drinks, television sets, and cars in this country.
Definitely agree
Somewhat agree
OR
People should buy only goods produced in this country.
Somewhat agree
Definitely agree

15. To what extent do you trust each of the following institutions? Please indicate on a scale with 1 for no trust at all and 7 great trust.

15a) Schools, the education system

15b) Public services and civil servants

15c) Religious institutions

15d) The armed forces

15e) Banks

15f) The central bank

15g) Press

15h) Radio and TV

15i) Trade unions

15j) Police

15k) The federal government

15l) Political parties

15m) Parliament

15n) Multinational companies

15o) Environmental movement
Trust
Neutral
Distrust

15p) Feminist movement

15q) European Union

15r) Charitable or voluntary organisations

15s) UN

15t) Courts of justice

15u) Legal system

15v) Health system

15w) Most people in this country

15x) Most people you know

16. Generally speaking, would you say that most people can be trusted or that you need to be very careful in dealing with people?
Most people can be trusted
One needs to be very careful

17. 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 with a vertical scale plus 100 at top, a 0 midpoint clearly marked and minus 100 at the bottom).
17a) Where on this scale would you put the former Communist regime?

17b) Where on this scale would you put our current system of governing with free elections and many parties?

17c) Where on this scale would you put our system of governing five years in the future?

17d) And where would you put our current economic system?

18. Compared to our system in Yugoslav times, would you say our current system is better, much the same or worse than the old system in terms of:
a) Everybody has a right to say what they think
Much better than before
Somewhat better than before
Same
Somewhat worse than before
Much worse than before

b) You can join any organisation you like
Much better than before
Somewhat better than before
Same
Somewhat worse than before
Much worse than before

c) Everybody has freedom of choice in religious matters
Much better than before
Somewhat better than before
Same
Somewhat worse than before
Much worse than before

19. Under our present system of government do you think people like yourself are treated equally and fairly by government.
Definitely agree
Somewhat agree
Somewhat disagree
Definitely disagree

20. How much respect do you think this country's government has for individual human rights?
A lot
Some
Not much
None at all

21. 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 with horizontal scale)
a) Where would you like our political system to be?
1 Complete dictatorship
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 Complete democracy

21b) Where would you place our country at the present time?
1 Complete dictatorship
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 Complete democracy

21c) 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

22. Some people think this country would be better governed if Parliament were shut down and all parties were abolished. How likely do you think this is to happen in the next few years?
Very likely
Maybe
Not likely
Very unlikely

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

24. Do you think any of these pose a real threat to peace and security in this society?
24a) Russia
Big threat
Some threat
Little threat
No threat

24b) United States
Big threat
Some threat
Little threat
No threat

24c) Neighbouring countries
Big threat
Some threat
Little threat
No threat

24d) National minorities in our society
Big threat
Some threat
Little threat
No threat

24e) Immigrants/refugees from other societies
Big threat
Some threat
Little threat
No threat

25. 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 corrupt
Almost all public officials are corrupt

26. In which areas is bribery common or widespread? (% saying yes)
a) In hospitals
b) Among physicians
c) Among public officials
d) Among judges and public prosecutors
e) Among Members of Parliament
f) Among customs officers
g) When setting up an enterprise
h) Among the police force
i) Among teachers
j) Among bank employees
k) Among car mechanics
l) When applying for a job
m) When applying for a pension
n) In sports

27. Do you have to give bribes often, sometimes, seldom, never?
Often
Sometimes
Seldom
Never

28. Would you personally participate in the fight against corruption, e.g. by taking part in a street demonstration, occupying public buildings or voting for a party that fights corruption?
28a) Participate in a street demonstration
Yes, would
Yes, might
Probably wouldn't
Would not

28b) Occupy public buildings
Yes, would
Yes, might
Probably wouldn't
Would not

28c) Vote for a party that fights corruption
Yes, would
Yes, might
Probably wouldn't
Would not

29. Compared to the communist regime before 1990, would you say the extent of corruption and bribery has ... ?
Sharply increased
Slightly increased
Remained the same
Decreased
Sharply decreased

30. 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 accepted)
Yes, self
Yes, member of family
Yes, friend
No one experienced crime

31. Please tell me for each of these situations how likely you think it is that this will happen to you within the next twelve months:
31a) To have things stolen
Very likely
Quite likely
Not very likely
Not at all likely

31b) Be blackmailed
Very likely
Quite likely
Not very likely
Not at all likely

31c) Be attacked and robbed
Very likely
Quite likely
Not very likely
Not at all likely

31d) Become a victim of a burglary
Very likely
Quite likely
Not very likely
Not at all likely

32. There are often claims of conflicts of interest between different groups, e.g. between political groups, between men and women, etc. However, not all conflicts are of the same severity. I am now going to mention some groups. Please tell me how severe you think the conflicts between these groups are in your country.
32a) Croats and Serbs
Very severe
Severe
Not really severe
No conflicts

32b) Croats and Slovenes
Very severe
Severe
Not really severe
No conflicts

32c) Croats and Bosnians
Very severe
Severe
Not really severe
No conflicts

32d) Poor and rich
Very severe
Severe
Not really severe
No conflicts

32e) The unemployed and those who have a job
Very severe
Severe
Not really severe
No conflicts

32f) Workers and entrepreneurs
Very severe
Severe
Not really severe
No conflicts

32g) Young and old
Very severe
Severe
Not really severe
No conflicts

32h) Men and women
Very severe
Severe
Not really severe
No conflicts

32i) Refugees and native population
Very severe
Severe
Not really severe
No conflicts

32j) Those who are politically right and left
Very severe
Severe
Not really severe
No conflicts

32k) Employees and owners of enterprises
Very severe
Severe
Not really severe
No conflicts

33. Where is the best place to keep your savings?
At home
In a domestic bank
In a foreign bank in Croatia
In a bank abroad

34. In your opinion - how will the rate of inflation develop in future?
Inflation will increase
Inflation will remain the same
Inflation will decline

35. Do you think your savings will be more secure if the euro is introduced in your country?
Yes
No
Don't know/no answer

36. Do you have ....?
a) A bank account
b) Saving deposits
c) A bank loan

37. Do you use other banking products?
If yes
38. Which one? (% naming)
a) Leasing
b) Credit cards
c) Bonds
d) Pension funds

39. Do you plan to take out a bank loan within the next year or two?
(% yes)

40. When doing business with other people, how important is it to watch out for the following:
40a) Whether the person is honest
Very important
Quite important
Can be important
Not very important
Not at all important

40b) Whether the person has been successful so far
Very important
Quite important
Can be important
Not very important
Not at all important

40c) Whether the person belongs to my ethnic group
Very important
Quite important
Can be important
Not very important
Not at all important

40d) Whether the person is diligent
Very important
Quite important
Can be important
Not very important
Not at all important

41. If someone is asked to pay protection money, what is the best thing to do?
Pay
Go to the police
Consult a lawyer
Join forces with other people to ward
off the extortionists
Turn to influential people who know
how to cope with blackmail

42. In your opinion, with which of the following people can you easily do business? (% saying yes)
a) Serbs
b) Bulgarians
c) Romanians
d) Bosnians
e) Macedonians
f) Albanians
g) Russians
h) Americans
i) Germans
j) Austrians
k) Italians
l) Hungarians
m) Arabs
n) Turks

43. In your opinion, how well do people from the highland region of Croatia get along with people from Dalmatia, and vice versa?
Very well
Quite well
Not so well
Not at all well

44. Which area of the economy should your country develop in the near future?
44a) Tourism and other services
A lot
A bit
Not at all

44b) Agriculture
A lot
A bit
Not at all

44c) Production of consumer goods
A lot
A bit
Not at all

44d) Iron and steel industry
A lot
A bit
Not at all

44e) Shipyards and merchant shipping
A lot
A bit
Not at all

45. How important are the following reasons for giving a political party your vote? That the party campaigns for:
a) National issues
Very important
Quite important
Not very important
Not at all important

b) Religious values
Very important
Quite important
Not very important
Not at all important

c) Social equality
Very important
Quite important
Not very important
Not at all important

d) A stable currency
Very important
Quite important
Not very important
Not at all important

e) Social benefits
Very important
Quite important
Not very important
Not at all important

f) Environmental issues
Very important
Quite important
Not very important
Not at all important

g) Against corruption
Very important
Quite important
Not very important
Not at all important

46. How should the consequences of the Balkan wars of the 1990's be dealt with?
The international community (Hague Tribunal)
should do so
OR
The Balkan states themselves and their national
courts should deal with the problem

S1. Region
Zagreb & surroundings
North Croatia
Slavonija
Lika, Kordun, Banovina
Istria, North Coast, Gorski Kotar
Dalmatia

S2. Town size
Rural
Smaller towns
Smaller city
Big city
Zagreb

S3. Gender
Female
Male

S4. How old are you? Mean in years 24

S5. What is your current marital status?
Single, divorced, widowed
Living together, married

S6. What is your highest level of education? (SHOW CARD)
Minimum
Vocational
Academic secondary
Higher

S7. What is your economic status?
Employed, full-time or part-time
Unemployed, seeking work
Pensioner
Student
Housework

S8. Occupation
Skilled Worker
Unskilled Worker
Farmer
Professional, Manager in company
Employee in Company
Professional, manager in
Public, state institution
Civil Servant
Owner Of big company
Private Enterprise
Craftsman
Freelancer
Other paid occupation

S9. Head of the household? 26

S10. How many people live in your household?
1
2
3
4
5 or more

S11. Children are in the household? (% yes) 27

S12. (If any children living in your household) And what are their ages?

0-2 years
3-5 years
6-14 years

S14. Looking at this card, what would you say was the total income of your family during the last month from all sources? (SHOW CARD)
up to 4.000 kuna
4.001-6.000
6.001-10.000
10.001-15.000
over 15.000 kuna

S15. How would you describe yourself and people like you? To which social class would you say you belong? (SHOW CARD)
Lower
Lower middle
Middle
Upper middle
Upper


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