Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

As ten years ago, the most influential social institute for Russians is mass media; the role of trade unions can still hardly be appreciable.

MOSCOW, June 22, 2012 г. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data describing the role that the Orthodox Church, political parties, mass media and trade unions play in modern Russian society, according to Russians.

The most influential public institute at present is mass media (3.64 points out of 5). Political parties and Church have equal level of influence (3.10 points and 3.09 points, respectively). Russians say that the least important institute for them is trade unions (1.80 points).

Compared to 2000, the assessment of mass media has not changed (3.60 points in 2000). Mass media was least influential in 2008 (3.52 points).

Compared to 2000, the level of influence of political parties has dramatically increased (2.43 in 2000). The current figure is almost equaled to the figure in 2008 (3.12 points).

The Orthodox Church is seen more influential than it was ten years ago: in 2000 it was given 2.76 points. Nevertheless, the current figure has decreased compared to 2010 (3.32 points in 2010).

The role of trade unions is less important, according to respondents (from 2.21 points in 2008 to 1.80 points this year). The current record is almost equaled to that of 2000 (1.85 points).

Those who put attention to the importance of the Orthodox Church are mainly elderly Russians (3.27 points). The same respondents believe that political parties are more influential (3.14 points). Young respondents and middle-aged Russians emphasize the influence of mass media (3.75 points).

The initiative Russian opinion polls were conducted on June 9-10, 2012. 1600 respondents were interviewed at 138 sampling points in 46 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.

Using 1-to-5 point rating scale could you assess the role that the following things play in the life of Russian society?

(close-ended question, one answer per each position, average point per each position on a scale, where 1 – none, 5 – very much)

2012

2010

2008

2002

2000

Orthodox Church

3.09

3.32

3.07

3.13

2.76

Mass media

3.64

3.58

3.52

3.57

3.60

Political parties

3.10

2.93

3.12

2.79

2.43

Trade unions

1.80

2.07

2.21

1.88

1.85


Using 1-to-5 point rating scale could you assess the role that the following things play in the life of Russian society?

(close-ended question, one answer per each position, average point per each position on a scale, where 1 – none, 5 – very much)

Average point, total number of respondents

Aged 18-24

Aged 25-34

Aged 35-44

Aged 45-59

60 and above

Orthodox Church

3.09

3.03

2.91

2.88

3.24

3.27

Mass media

3.64

3.75

3.62

3.75

3.65

3.49

Political parties

3.10

3.09

3.11

3.12

3.05

3.14

Trade unions

1.80

1.96

1.76

1.69

1.81

1.80

Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!

Read the article in Russian