Events in Ukraine and the “Russian spring” have intensified the negative attitudes of Russians towards any forms of nationalism.
MOSCOW, June 24, 2014. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the information concerning what Russians think about the rights that peoples living in Russia should have.
Over half of year the level of internationalism in Russia has considerably increased: today more than half of Russians (57%) believe that Russia should be a multinational state and unite many different peoples (versus 44% in November 2013). Those who think so are young Russians (52%, aged 18-24), рrespondents aged over 60 (56%), residents of million cities (59%) and rural area residents (54%). One-third of respondents oppose them (38%); they think that Russians should come together to defend their own interests; most of those who think so are LDPR supporters (54%).
All nationalities in Russia should have equal rights, according to 57% of respondents; today this figure is higher than it was in November 2013 (37%), and is close to the maximum value recorded in 2006 (61%). Those who advocate for equal rights are supporters of A Just Russia party (64%), non-parliament parties (69%) and rural area residents (61%); this opinion is least supported by the LDPR adherents (47%) and residents of middle cites (50%). One-quarter of respondents (26%) say that Russians should have more rights because they represent the majority of the population of Russia. Ten percent of respondents have more radical views; they say that Russia should be for Russians. Nationalist ideas are shared by those respondents who disapprove of the work of the president (52%), Muscovites and St. Petersubrgians (41%), 25-34-year-old Russians (39%), and Internet users (39%). At the same time, 6% of respondents think that national minorities should be supported, and their rights should be promoted.
The VCIOM opinion poll was conducted on April 19-20, May 10-11, 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%.
Which of the statement do you most agree with? (closed-ended question, one answer) | ||
| November 2013 | May 2014 |
Russia should be a multinational state and unite many different peoples | 44 | 57 |
Russians should come together to protect their national interests; Russia is for Russians | 50 | 38 |
Don`t know | 6 | 5 |
There are many opinions on what Russia should be like. Which of the statements below do you most agree with? (closed-ended question, one answer) | |||||||||
| 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2009 | 2011 | July 2013 | November 2013 | April 2014 |
Russia is home to many different nationalities. All nationalities should have equal rights; none of the nationalities should be ahead | 49 | 49 | 53 | 61 | 44 | 46 | 44 | 37 | 57 |
Russia is a multinational state but Russians represent the majority, they should have more rights | 31 | 34 | 27 | 26 | 38 | 39 | 37 | 38 | 26 |
Russia should be for Russians | 17 | 11 | 16 | 9 | 14 | 10 | 18 | 23 | 10 |
Russia is a multinational state but national minorities should be supported; more rights should be given to them* | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 6 |
Don`t know | 4 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
* up to 2014 there was no such answer
There are many opinions on what Russia should be like. Which of the statements below do you most agree with? (closed-ended question, one answer) | |||||||
| Total respondents | Supporters of A Just Russia party | Supporters of LDPR | Supporters of CPRF | Supporters of United Russia | Supporters of non-parliament parties | Those who refuse to take part in elections |
Russia is home to many different nationalities. All nationalities should have equal rights; none of the nationalities should be ahead | 57 | 64 | 47 | 56 | 59 | 69 | 52 |
Russia is a multinational state but Russians represent the majority, they should have more rights | 26 | 20 | 31 | 34 | 24 | 19 | 27 |
Russia should be for Russians | 10 | 7 | 18 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 11 |
Russia is a multinational state but national minorities should be supported; more rights should be given to them | 6 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 4 | 6 |
Don`t know | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | <1 | 3 |
There are many opinions on what Russia should be like. Which of the statements below do you most agree with? (closed-ended question, one answer) | |||||||
| Total | Moscow and St. Petersburg | Million cities | More than 500 ths | 100–500 ths | Less than 100 ths | Rural area |
Russia is home to many different nationalities. All nationalities should have equal rights; none of the nationalities should be ahead | 57 | 56 | 56 | 50 | 59 | 52 | 61 |
Russia is a multinational state but Russians represent the majority, they should have more rights | 26 | 27 | 31 | 31 | 27 | 26 | 20 |
Russia should be for Russians | 10 | 14 | 8 | 5 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
Russia is a multinational state but national minorities should be supported | 6 | <1 | 4 | 11 | 5 | 8 | 6 |
Don`t know | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | <1 | 4 | 1 |
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!