Superpower ambitions are not popular with Russians; the most important thing is to maintain Russia’s position in the list of the most powerful countries in the world.
MOSCOW, September 15, 2020 Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of a study describing the position Russians think Russia holds in the world, and what goals it should pursue in the 21st century.
Russians consider that Russia should, first of all, strive to achieve social welfare and higher living standards in the 21st century (12%), develop social policies and improve people’s life (11%); Russia should also pursue peaceful relationships with foreign countries, not starting any wars, and spend less on arms (10%). Respondents also believe it is important to focus on economy and support businesses to make Russia a rich country (9%), to cooperate and to have friendly relationships with other countries (7%), to achieve world influence (6%), and regain a superpower status (6%).
Thirty-one percent of Russians are confident that Russia should try to regain the USSR ‘superpower’ status. Those who think so are mainly men (35%) and Russians aged 35-44 (37%), 45-60 and older (34-35%). Since 2014, this share has decreased by 11 p.p. and got back to its 2010 meaning (33%). Almost half of Russians consider that Russia should make efforts to become one of 10-15 nations with developed economies and a political influence (44%); those who think so are predominantly Russians aged 18-24 (51%) and 25-34- (50%). Every tenth Russian believes that Russia should not pursue any global goals (10%); 6% think Russia should strive for leadership in the post-Soviet space.
More than one-third of respondents say that Russia is still a great power (37%; +12 p.p. since 2010); a further 29% agree that Russia is likely to become one within the next 15 to 20 years. The share of those who believe that Russia is unlikely to become a great power in the near future is smaller (26%).
Russian VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on September 02, 2020. Results are based on telephone interviews with 1,600 Russians aged 18 and older. A stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of Russian landline and mobile phone number 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.
Let us talk about Russia’s global position. In your opinion, what goals should Russia try to achieve in the 21st century? (open-ended question, up to 3 answers % of total respondents; answers of at least 2% of respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
Welfare / high living standards | 12 |
Social policy / people’s well-being / improving people’s life | 11 |
Peace / not to start conflicts / to spend less on arts | 10 |
Economic development / to be a rich country / to support business | 9 |
Cooperation with other countries / friendship | 7 |
Authority globally/to make any country respect Russia / influence / to protect national interest | 6 |
Leadership / world power | 6 |
Stability / quietness | 5 |
Free healthcare / good quality health services | 5 |
Free education / good quality education | 4 |
Independence / self-sufficiency / sovereignty | 4 |
Development / prosperity / striving to be better | 4 |
To develop the manufacturing sector and agriculture | 3 |
Internal policy / more attention to domestic policies | 3 |
Jobs / combating unemployment | 3 |
Foreign policy | 3 |
Security / protection of borders | 2 |
Technologies | 2 |
Defense capacity / arms development | 2 |
To be a strong power | 2 |
Freedom and law / society's democratization | 2 |
Other | 21 |
Don’t know | 31 |
In your opinion, what goals should Russia pursue in the 21st century? (closed-ended question, one answer % of total respondents) | ||||||||
2003 | 2005 | 2007 | 2008 | 2010 | 2013 | 2014 | 2020 | |
To regain the superpower status which belonged to the USSR | 34 | 34 | 34 | 37 | 33 | 37 | 42 | 31 |
To be one of top 10-15 countries with developed economy and political influence | 35 | 38 | 47 | 45 | 42 | 44 | 41 | 44 |
To become a leader in the post-Soviet space | 16 | 14 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 6 |
No global goals should be pursued | 7 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 10 |
Don’t know | 8 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 9 |
In your opinion, what goals should Russia pursue in the 21st century? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||||||||
| Total respondents | Men | Women | Aged 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 and older |
To regain the superpower status which belonged to the USSR | 31 | 35 | 28 | 22 | 21 | 37 | 35 | 34 |
To be one of top 10-15 countries with developed economy and political influence | 44 | 39 | 48 | 51 | 50 | 42 | 40 | 42 |
To become a leader in the post-Soviet space | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 7 |
No global goals should be pursued | 10 | 10 | 9 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 8 | 7 |
Don’t know | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 10 | 10 |
In your opinion, will Russia be able to become a great power within the next 15-20 years? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||||||||
2003 | 2005 | 2007 | 2008 | 2010 | 2013 | 2014 | 2020 | |
Likely yes | 40 | 33 | 46 | 50 | 36 | 41 | 54 | 29 |
Likely no | 36 | 41 | 31 | 19 | 30 | 39 | 18 | 26 |
Russia is a great power at the moment | 12 | 13 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 10 | 20 | 37 |
Don’t know | 12 | 13 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 10 | 8 | 8 |
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.