The importance of science and technologies for being a world power is increasing whereas that of the armed forces is decreasing.
MOSCOW, October 12, 2010. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data concerning what Russia should do to be a great power, the obstacles on the road, as well as what countries, Russians think, are great powers.
As before, Russians believe that building a modern economy is the main problem for Russia; however the importance of this problem has been decreasing (from 55% in 2007 to 50% currently). This is followed by the ensuring citizens` welfare (31%), building powerful armed forces (26% versus 35% in 2008) and development of science and high technologies (from 18 to 22% over two years).
Rarer Russians mention the need to revive national spirit (10%), observance of democratic norms (9%). Seven percent point out control over the former USSR territories; the same proportion of respondents say that to achieve the world leadership status Russia should become the world center of influence capable of settling the world conflicts.
Those who think that Russia should become the world energy power or the bridge between Europe and Asia are in the minority (4% for each).
Russians say that the main obstacle for Russia in achieving the world power status is that Russia is lagging behind the developed countries economically; the importance of this factor has been increased over the recent two years (from 44 to 49%). Russians also mention lack of national unity (17%), unstable political situation (from 11 to 15% over two years), resistance of western countries (from 19% in 2008 to 14% currently), characteristics of Russians (from 10% in 2007 to 14% this year), lagging behind developed countries in terms of democracy (13%), and cross-national conflict (from 15 to 10% over two years). Territorial and climatic factors are least important for Russians (5%).
Russians still regard the United States of America to be the world leading power (61% versus 55% in 2008). China is ranked second (32%) followed by Japan which is getting mentioned rarer (from 27% in 2007 to 23% currently). European countries are noted rarer: Germany (20%), the United Kingdom (18%), and other European countries (16%). Other countries were named by only 2% of respondents.
The initiative Russian opinion polls were conducted on August 14-15, 2010. 1600 respondents were interviewed at 138 sampling points in 46 regions of Russia. The margin oferror does not exceed 3.4%.
What should Russia do to reach the world power status? (close-ended question, not more than two answers) | |||
| 2007 | 2008 | 2010 |
To build a modern economy | 55 | 53 | 50 |
To ensure high level of welfare of citizens | 36 | 30 | 31 |
To have powerful armed forces | 24 | 35 | 26 |
To develop science and introduce high technologies | 20 | 18 | 22 |
To revive high level of Russian culture and national spirit | 10 | 8 | 10 |
To demonstrate commitment to democracy and human rights | 7 | 8 | 9 |
To become world center of influence capable of settling world conflicts | 6 | 8 | 7 |
To get control over former USSR territories | 7 | 6 | 7 |
To become world leading energy power | 4 | 5 | 4 |
To become the bridge between Europe and Asia, between the developed countries and the third world | 5 | 4 | 4 |
Hard to tell | 4 | 3 | 7 |
In your opinion, what are the obstacles for Russia on the road to becoming one of the world leading powers? (close-ended question, not more than two answers) | |||
| 2007 | 2008 | 2010 |
Lagging behind the developed countries economically | 49 | 44 | 49 |
Lack of national unity | 17 | 16 | 17 |
Unstable political situation | 19 | 11 | 15 |
Resistance of western countries | 12 | 19 | 14 |
Traits of Russians | 10 | 11 | 14 |
Lagging behind the developed countries in terms of democracy | 13 | 10 | 13 |
Domestic cross-national conflicts | 11 | 15 | 10 |
Huge territory, severe climate over large parts of its territory | 4 | 5 | 5 |
Nothing | 6 | 12 | 8 |
Hard to tell | 9 | 7 | 7 |
In your opinion, which countries are world powers (except for Russia)? (open-ended question, any number of answers) | |||
| 2007 | 2008 | 2010 |
USA | 61 | 55 | 61 |
China | 23 | 32 | 32 |
Japan | 27 | 24 | 23 |
Germany | 25 | 23 | 20 |
Great Britain | 21 | 20 | 18 |
Other European countries (France, Italy, Spain and others) | 24 | 23 | 16 |
India | 1 | 3 | 2 |
Israel | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Canada | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Belarus | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Korea | 1 | 0 | 0 |
United Arab Emirates | 1 | 0 | 0 |
None | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Other | 5 | 5 | 1 |
Hard to tell | 17 | 21 | 20 |
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.