Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

Two thirds of Russians would not support the participants of the riots on Manege square. No way would the majority of respondents take part in such actions.

MOSCOWDecember 24, 2010. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data about the attitudes of Russians towards riots on Manege Square, and on how many Russians would support such actions in their place of residence.

The riots that took place on Manege Square on December 11th drew a wide response (85%): 43% are well informed about that, other 42% heard about that in general. Twelve percent do not know anything about the riots.

Mostly informed respondents are supporters of CPRF party (56%), respondents of the middle and pre-retirement age (45-46%), highly educated Russians (50%), active Internet users (48%) and metropolitan residents (60%). Those who are not informed about the riots are LDPR adherents (15%), supporters of United Russia and absentees (13% for each), the youth (20%), low-educated Russians (16%), residents of big cities and rural area (16-17%).

Russians who tracked the news about the Manege Square riots do not have the common assessment of what happened: 31% think it was hooliganism; 29% call it protest action. According to 7%, it was a protest action that ended up badly. Every tenth say the riots were a provocation (11%) and cross-national conflict (9%). Three percent say it was another trick by young Russians. Other 3% are convinced that the situation has uncovered long-term faults of authorities in the youth and cross national policies.

Two-thirds of those who were aware of what happened on Manege Square said they did not support the participants of the action (65%). Those who negatively assessed the actions of the young people were mainly supporters of Fair Russia and United Russia parties (68% for each), elderly respondents (74%), and residents of middle cities (71%) and rural area residents (69%).Those who oppose their stance are 18% including LDPR party adherents (41%), metropolitan residents (27%), respondents aged under 34 (22-24%).

The overwhelming majority of those who kept track of the developments say they would no take part in such actions even if it happens in their place of residence (79%). They are basically supporters of non-parliament parties (90%) and United Russia (83%), elderly respodnents (87%) and respondents with education above secondary level (80-81%), residents of North-Western part of Russia (87%).

At the same time, every tenth (11%) do not exclude personal participation in such actions. They are mainly LDPR supporters (32%), respondents aged under 34 (15-16%), low-educated Russians (13-14%), Far-Easterners (15%), residents of the Urals and Central Russia (14% for each), Northern Caucasus (13%) and Southern Russia (12%).

The initiative Russian opinion polls were conducted on 18-19 December, 2010. 1600 respondents were interviewed at 138 sampling points in 46 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.

Do you personally know or have you heard/heard for the first time about the riots that took place on December 11th on  Moscow Manege Square? (close-ended question, one answer)

 

Total respondents

Moscow and St.Petersburg

More than 500

100 - 500

Less than 100

Rural area

I know

43

60

33

54

41

39

I heard in general, but not in details

42

28

48

32

49

43

I hear for the first time

12

8

17

12

7

16

Hard to tell

2

4

2

2

3

2

Some part of Russians says it was a protest action. Others call it hooliganism. There are other versions. In your opinion, what exactly happened on Manege Square, December 11th? (open-ended question, write down everything told by respondent, % of those who know about what happened)

Mess, banditry, riots, outrage, hooliganism

31

Action of protests against  illegality, murders, inaction of authorities

22

Planed action, provocation  

11

Cross-national conflict, ethnic clashes

9

Action of protest turned unto unrest and hooliganism

7

Tricks of young Russians and fans

3

Situation that uncovered the faults of authorities in the youth policy and cross-national issues

3

Other

1

Hard to tell

16

Riots happened on Manege Square were evaluated differently by Russians. Some people support such actionsothers accuseWhich stance are you closer to? (close-ended question, one answer, % of those who knows about what happened)

 

Total respondents

Moscow and St.Petersburg

more 500 thousand

100 - 500 thousand

Less than  100 thousand

Rural area

Rather support

18

27

20

16

18

15

Rather oppose

65

56

63

71

61

69

Hard to tell

17

18

17

13

20

15

 

If such actions happened in your place of residence (city, rural area settlement), would you personally take part? (close-ended question, one answer, % of those who know about what happened)

 

 

Aged 18-24

Aged 25-34

Aged 35-44

Aged 45-59

Aged 60 and above

Rather take part

11

15

16

10

11

7

Rather not take part

79

72

73

81

80

87

Hard to tell

10

13

11

10

9

6

 

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.

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