MOSCOW, 19 April 2022. As part of a special project with MIA Rossiya Segodnya, Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of a study marking the 152d anniversary of the birth of Vladimir Lenin.
What we remember about Lenin
More than a third of Russians perceive Vladimir Lenin as a revolution leader (37%); this is followed by the “leader of the world's proletariat” (16%) and “head of state” (15%). Fewer respondents perceive him as the founder of the USSR (6%); 5% consider him as a leader of the USSR, and 5%, as a head of the Communist party. Only 2% of respondents do not know who Vladimir Lenin was.
One-third of Russians believe that in fifty years Lenin will be remembered primarily as the founder of the Soviet state (32%). A quarter of respondents think that he will be remembered as a leader who put the interests of the workers above all (26%); 13% say that in fifty years Lenin will remain in people’s memory as a prudent politician who imposed his will on a huge country (13%); 12%, as a great thinker who could predict the future. Every tenth respondent considers that he will be best remembered as a successful political risk taker (11%). Twenty-nine percent of Russians say that no one but historians will remember Lenin in fifty years.
Thinking of Lenin as a leader who acted in the interests of the workers is a more popular opinion today than previously (26%, +9p.p. — 17% in 1995). The percentage of those who perceive Lenin as a successful political risk taker has returned to the 1995 levels; twelve years ago the number of respondents who shared this opinion was four times as small (3% in 2010), and 22 years ago twice as small (6% in 2000). The number of those who think that no one will remember Lenin except for historians has decreased compared to 2000s (−10 p.p., 39% in 2010).
Thirty-seven percent of Russians consider that the activities of Vladimir Lenin brought more good to Russia. A further 32% say he caused both good and harm. Twenty-one percent of Russians think he did more harm to Russia.
Lenin as viewed by youth
Young Russians do consider Lenin a leader of the world’s proletariat (the 18-24-year-olds almost did not mention this characteristic (1%)). However, every eighth respondent in 25–34 age group gave the same answer, which is close to sample average (12%).
Russians aged 18-24 are more likely than other age groups to point out that in 4-5 decades Vladimir Lenin will be remembered as a prudent politician (22%) and successful political risk taker (27%; total respondents — 11%). Russians aged 25-34 are less likely to think the same way (18% and 13% respectively). Respondents in this age group think that Lenin will be remembered as the founder of the Soviet state (41%) and a leader who prioritized the interests of the working class (37%); these viewpoints are more common for these age groups than for the sample average.
Young Russians aged 18-24 are less likely to think that only historians will remember Lenin in fifty years compared to older age groups (36% of the 45-59-year-olds; 11% of the 18-24-year-olds). Both youth age groups are less likely to say that Lenin’s activity did more harm to Russia than good: this opinion is popular with older generations (15% of the 18-24-year-olds; 16% of the 25-34-year-olds; 26% of the 35-44-year-old).
Russian nationwide telephone VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted April 12, 2022. A total of 1,600 of Russians aged 18 and older took part in the survey. Results are based on telephone interviews. Stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of Russian landline and mobile phone numbers was used. The data were weighted according to selection probability and 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.
Total respondents | Ages 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 + | |
Revolutionary / he led /made a revolution / leader of the revolution | 37 | 36 | 35 | 38 | 44 | 32 |
Leader of the world’s proletariat | 16 | 1 | 12 | 17 | 22 | 16 |
Head of the country/government / head of state / leader | 15 | 10 | 17 | 20 | 11 | 16 |
He founded/set up the USSR | 6 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 7 |
Head/chief/leader of the USSR / first leader of the USSR | 5 | 11 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 4 |
Head/leader of the Communist party | 5 | 3 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Politician / statesperson | 4 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
The leader of the people | 4 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 4 |
Great person/politician/leader / extraordinary figure | 4 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 |
Communist / he struggled for communism | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 3 |
Bolshevik / bolsheviks’ leader | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Negative attitude / wrong policy / bad person | 3 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 3 |
Smart / skillful | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 |
He lies in a mausoleum | 2 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
I have no idea who Lenin is | 2 | 15 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Reformer / he changed history / he changed the life of the country | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
Other | 6 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 8 |
Don’t know | 7 | 18 | 11 | 6 | 4 | 6 |
1995 | 2000 | 2010 | 2022 | 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 + | |
A founder of the Soviet state | 30 | 34 | 25 | 32 | 32 | 41 | 25 | 31 | 33 |
A leader who prioritized the interests of the working class first | 17 | 18 | 18 | 26 | 24 | 37 | 28 | 20 | 24 |
A prudent politician who could impose his will on a huge country , | 19 | 13 | 8 | 13 | 22 | 18 | 13 | 10 | 10 |
A great thinker who was able to predict the future | 10 | 11 | 8 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 11 | 18 |
A successful political risk taker | 12 | 6 | 3 | 11 | 27 | 13 | 13 | 8 | 6 |
A violent dictator ready to sacrifice the lives of millions | 12 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 5 |
A person who did not understand and, did not love Russia | 5 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 2 |
No one but historians will remember about him | 25 | 36 | 39 | 29 | 11 | 18 | 29 | 36 | 32 |
Don’t know | 14 | 8 | 10 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 10 | 6 | 7 |
Total respondents | 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 + | |
More good | 37 | 37 | 35 | 26 | 39 | 44 |
Equally harm and good | 32 | 38 | 35 | 34 | 32 | 28 |
More harm | 21 | 15 | 16 | 26 | 21 | 21 |
Don’t know | 10 | 9 | 13 | 14 | 9 | 7 |