Russians appreciate order above democracy. What is meant by order for them are stability and respect for law, rather than restrictions or violation of human rights by state..
MOSCOW, April 3, 2014. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the information concerning what is more important for Russians - order or democracy.
More than two-thirds of Russians (71%) are confident that it is important to achieve the order in the country even if it violates some democratic principles. Those who think so are mainly CPRF adherents (78%) and elderly respondents (77%). Interestingly, over the recent fifteen years the position concerning this question has not changed (69% in 1998). What is meant by “order” for most of Russians (45%) is political and economic stability (20 years ago 38%). For 29% the order means strict observation of laws; and for 20% - an opportunity for anyone to exercise the rights.
Only every fifth respondent (20%) believes that all democratic principles must be strictly observed. Those who think so are mainly young respondents (29%), residents of Moscow and St.Petersburg (33%). According to 47% of Russians, democracy means freedom of speech, press and religion (to compare: in 2006 the same answer was given by 45% of respondents). Russians believe that democracy is characterized by economic prosperity (24%) and strict laws (19%). Over ten years there has been a decrease in the shares of persons who define democracy as “order and stability” (from 33% in 2006 to 23% in 2014) and as “appointment of top state officials by election” (respectively, from 30% to 14%).
The VCIOM opinion poll was conducted on March 8-9, 2014. 1600 respondents were interviewed in 130 communities in 42 regions of Russia. Data are weighted by gender, age, education, working status and type of settlement. The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.
In your opinion, what is more important for Russia? (close-ended question, one answer) | |||||
| 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2010 | 2014 |
Order even if it takes breaking democratic principles and restrict personal freedoms to achieve it | 69 | 87 | 85 | 72 | 71 |
Democracy even if consistent compliance with democratic principles gives freedom to destructive elements | 15 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 20 |
Don`t know | 15 | -* | -* | 12 | 9 |
* In 1999-2000 there was no such answer
In your opinion, what is order? (close-ended question, not more than two answers) | |||
| 1994 | 2010 | 2014 |
Political and economic stability in the country | 38 | 41 | 45 |
Strict observance of law | 32 | 24 | 29 |
Stopping embezzlement in the country | 21 | 25 | 23 |
Opportunities for anyone to exercise their rights | 13 | 25 | 20 |
Stopping struggles for power, collapse of the country | 21 | 27 | 17 |
Social protection for the low-income citizens | 11 | 29 | 17 |
Severe discipline | 14 | 18 | 15 |
Using army and security forces to combat crime | 11 | 7 | 5 |
Restricted democratic rights and freedoms | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Slogan that opens the way towards dictatorship | - | 1 | 1 |
Other | - | 1 | 1 |
Don`t know | 2 | 4 | 1 |
In your opinion, what is democracy? (close-ended question, not more than two answers) | |||
| 2006 | 2010 | 2014 |
Freedom of speech, press and religion | 45 | 44 | 47 |
Economic prosperity of the country | 29 | 28 | 24 |
Order and stability | 33 | 19 | 23 |
Severe laws/ /rule of law | 24 | 21 | 19 |
appointment of top state officials by election | 30 | 18 | 14 |
Opportunity for everyone to do anything she/she wants | 9 | 10 | 8 |
Empty talk | 14 | 11 | 8 |
Minority rights guaranteed | 7 | 6 | 6 |
Minority is subordinate to majority | 3 | 4 | 4 |
Anarchy, no power | 5 | 6 | 3 |
Other | <1 | 1 | 1 |
Don`t know | 5 | 8 | 2 |
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!