MOSCOW, 31 August 2022. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of a survey in memory of Mikhail Gorbachev.
The first and the last president of the USSR, Mikhail Gorbachev, died on August 30; he was a politician who changed the course of the global history. The attitudes of the Russian people towards Gorbachev are rather ambiguous; most of Russians express dislikes (74%); older generation is more likely to have unfavorable opinions than young respondents (83% of those aged 60 vs. 69% of the 18-24-year-olds). Negative perceptions are expressed by communists (89%) and respondents living in the south (82% of residents of Southern Federal District).
Thirteen percent of Russians express liking towards M.Gorbachev; this percentage includes one-third of public officers (31%), every fifth young respondent (20% of the 25-34-year-olds and 18% of students), and inhabitants of the Russian Far East (17%).
Half of Russians consider that the Gorbachev’s activity caused more harm than good to Russia (51%); 31% say his activities brought as many good things as bad things. Only 7% of Russians point out good things. M.Gorbachev was a politician who thought about the country’s good but made a number of tactical miscalculations resulted in further problems (51%). Twenty-two percent of Russians consider him a criminal who consciously destroyed the country (−4 p.p. since 2019).
Despite predominantly negative perceptions of Gorbachev’s activity, his reputation slightly improved with time. His positive initiatives include glasnost and freedom of speech (9%), the start of Perestroika (4%) and development of international relations (3%). Thirty-seven percent of respondents believe that there was nothing good (a 10-point decrease compared to 2016).
VCIOM-Sputnik Russian nationwide survey was conducted January 31 and February 28, 2021. A total of 1,600 Russians aged 18 and over took part in the survey. Survey method: telephone interviews using a stratified double-frame sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers in use in Russia. The data were weighted according to social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes to the wording of questions and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.
Do the following politicians evoke liking or disliking in you? Mikhail Gorbachev (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||||||||
| Total | Men | Women | Ages 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 + |
Likely liking | 13 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 14 | 11 | 8 |
Likely disliking | 74 | 80 | 68 | 69 | 57 | 70 | 79 | 83 |
Don’t know | 13 | 9 | 18 | 15 | 23 | 16 | 9 | 9 |
Do the following politicians evoke liking or disliking in you? Mikhail Gorbachev (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||||||
| Total | A Just Russia party | LDPR | KPRF
| United Russia party»
| Non-parliamentary parties
|
Likely liking | 13 | 13 | 12 | 5 | 16 | 17 |
Likely disliking | 74 | 80 | 83 | 89 | 68 | 72 |
Don’t know | 13 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 16 | 11 |
Let’s talk about Mikhail Gorbachev. Gorbachev’s rule is assessed ambiguously today. In your opinion, what good things did M.Gorbachev do to our country as president of the USSR president? (open-ended question, up to 5 answers, % of total respondents; answer of at least 2% of respondents) | |||
| 2016 | 2019 | 2021 |
Glasnost / freedom of speech | 3 | 7 | 9 |
Perestroika | 2 | 3 | 4 |
Development of international relations | 0 | 2 | 3 |
Fall of Iron Curtain / end of cold war / disarmament | 5 | 4 | 2 |
Anti-alcohol campaign | 2 | 4 | 2 |
Border opening / freedom of traveling abroad | 1 | 2 | 2 |
Collapse of the USSR | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Nothing good | 47 | 38 | 37 |
I know nothing about Gorbachev / his activity | - | 4 | 5 |
In your opinion, what bad things did M.Gorbachev do to Russia? (open-ended question, up to 5 answers, % of total respondents ; answer of at least 2% of respondents) | |||
| 2016 | 2019 | 2021 |
Collapse of the USSR / he destroyed/broke the country | 36 | 24 | 36 |
Activities in favor of America, western countries, not in favor of the USSR / he sold the country / foreign policy | 4 | 8 | 7 |
Economic downfall / industrial decline / decline in agriculture | 4 | 5 | 7 |
All the activities / he destroyed everything | 8 | 21 | 6 |
Anti-alcohol campaign | 2 | 6 | 5 |
Perestroika plan / wrong direction of policies / democratization | 5 | 5 | 4 |
Cutting out of vineyards | 3 | 4 | 4 |
Betrayal /he betrayed people | 0 | 1 | 3 |
Dissolution / army disarmament / agreement on disarmament | 1 | 4 | 3 |
Shortage of goods / queues / tickets | 0 | 3 | 3 |
Troop withdrawal from Germany / unification of Germany | 0 | 3 | 2 |
Imprudent, vague politician / many words – few deeds / too soft | 1 | 3 | 2 |
Nothing bad | 9 | 5 | 4 |
I know nothing about Gorbachev / his activity | - | 3 | 4 |
In your opinion, did the activity of M.Gorbachev cause more good things, more harm, or equally good and harm to Russia? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||
| 2019 | 2021 |
More harm | 54 | 51 |
Equally harm and good things | 32 | 32 |
More good things | 6 | 7 |
Don’t know | 8 | 10 |
In your opinion, did M.Gorbachev act in the interest of the entire society or a small group of people? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||
| 2019 | 2021 |
In the interest of a small group of people | 51 | 46 |
In the interest of a minority | 13 | 14 |
In the interest of a majority | 11 | 13 |
In the interest of the entire society | 8 | 7 |
Don’t know | 17 | 20 |
In your opinion, is Gorbachev … ? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents ) | ||
| 2019 | 2021 |
A politician who thought about the country’s good but made a number of tactical miscalculations resulted in problems | 50 | 51 |
A criminal who consciously and feloniously destroyed the great power | 26 | 22 |
A brave person who was not afraid of taking responsibility and conducting vital reforms | 10 | 11 |
Other | 3 | 3 |
Don’t know | 11 | 13 |