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The New Baltic Barometer (NBB) is the largest social science comparative survey in the Baltic states, systematically interviewing representative samples of Estonians, Latvians, Lithuanians, and Russians (that is, other former Soviet nationalities) in each of the three Baltic states). This SPP paper reports trend data from the three NBB surveys to date in 1993, 1995 and 1996, covering such topics as public opinion about independence, national identities and ethnic relations, and economic conditions and evaluations. In addition, Russians in the Baltic states are asked to evaluate conditions in the Russian Federation, and as appropriate answers are reported from comparable questions asked representative samples of the public by the New Russia Barometer. On citizenship, the paper includes a detailed analysis of what each of the six nationalities sees as the rights and obligations of individuals living in the Baltic states. There tends to be far less difference than the distinction between citizens and noncitizens would imply. The paper also includes a detailed analysis of opinions within each nationality about who should be citizens there. It finds divisions within each nationality, whether Baltic or Russian--and since each is divided into moderates and hardliners, this creates conditions for compromise and conflict avoidance.
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