Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

Two-thirds of Russians are confident that there is a world government; three-quarters believe that this government is hostile towards Russia.

MOSCOW, July 11, 2018. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data of a survey devoted to the Russian views of the so-called “world government” and its activities.

Today more Russians believe in the existence of the world government: 45% in 2014 vs 67% in 2018. However the majority (33%) failed to explain the reason why they think it exists; and the remainder provide diverse opinions. Twenty-four percent of respondents oppose this stance (young respondents are more skeptical than older generation (45% of the 18-24-year-olds do not believe that the world government exists vs 16% of persons aged 60 and over).

Twenty-three percent of Russians who believe that the world government exists consider that the members of the world government can be oligarchs/financial experts/bankers. Thirty percent say that the main goal of the world government is power and global influence.

Today most of Russians who agree that the “world backstage” does exist think that its influence is limited: 57% say that it controls only part of global processes (vs 33% in 2014). At the same time, there is a persistent stereotype about its interests which are contrary to Russia’s national interest: the percentage of those who share this viewpoint (among those who believe in the existence of the world government) has increased fourfold – from 57% to 74%. .

A total number of 22,212 mentions of “world government” and “shadow government” from January 1st , 2011, through June 30th, 2018, were analyzed by Medialogia Company. The most popular topics mentioned in the media are as follows: Vitaly Milonov asked Yury Chayka, Prosecutor General, to carry out checks on the activities of the Masonic communities; the deputy says that one of the goals of Order of Masonry  is “to establish a new world order based on the principles of Masonry;  David Rockefeller died; conspirologists called him one of the most influential members of the so-called  “world government", Stephen Hawking, British scientist, supported the creation of world government; Bilderberg Club, regarded as a “secret government” by conspiracy theory fans, held a summit at the Westfields Marriott hotel in Virginia.

The VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on May 29-30, 2018, and involved 2,000 Russians aged 18 and over. The survey was telephone-based and was carried out using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia. 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 2.2%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.

The 2014 results are based on household survey.

Russian media monitoring and analysis were carried out by Medialogia Company (more than 45,000 sources). The period of study was January 1st 2011 through June 30th 2018.

Some people believe that there is an organization or a certain group of people who influence global processes and control the activities of many countries. Others say that there is no such organization. Which stance do you agree with the most? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

2014

2018

There is an organization or a group of people who influence global processes and control the activities of many countries

45

67

There is no any organization or group of people who influence global processes and control the activities of many countries

32

24

Don’t know

23

9

 

Some people believe that there is an organization or a certain group of people who influence global processes and control the activities of many countries. Others say that there is no such organization. Which stance do you agree with the most? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Aged 18-24

Aged 25-34

Aged 35-44

Aged 45-59

Aged 60 and over

There is an organization or a group of people who influence global processes and control the activities of many countries

52

57

71

72

74

There is no any organization or a group of people who influence global processes and control the activities of many countries

45

34

22

20

16

Don’t know

3

9

7

8

10

 

Why do you think so? Cite any SIGNS that such group or organization exists

 (open-ended question, any number of answers, % of those who believe in the existence of the world government)

 

% of respondents

TV shows / I read some literature / I heard about that / historical fact

10

Money is power / oligarchs rule the world / the Rockefellers/the Rothschils

10

There is a group of persons or an organization /UN / NATO

7

USA, Europe, EU suppress the countries / interferes in politics

7

War / revolution / negotiations / USSR disintegration  

6

Unstable political situation globally / economic aspect / corruption

6

I think there is something / people say there is/it is proved

6

Activities against Russia/ sanctions/ allegations

5

Masons/ Illuminati

5

It is not politicians who decide / certain activities of politicians are hard to explain, even if they are contrary to national interest

4

Interference in the affairs of other states / pressure / forcing one’s interests on others

3

US Dollar is a world currency / international monetary system

3

Shadow government / Soros Group / influence of particular counties

3

Clubs / Bilderberg Group

1

Politicians’ choice / politicians are interconnected 

1

Price increase / oil price

1

Recurring political events in different countries at different time

1

Globalization

1

Other

5

Don’t know

33

 

Why do you think so? Cite any SIGNS that such group or organization DOES NOT exist  (open-ended question, any number of answers, % of those who DO NOT believe in the existence of the world government)

 

% of respondents

Each country has its own government/ Each country pursues its own goals

15

One group of people cannot rule all the countries/ it is difficult/ it is stupid

12

No evidence

7

I do not know about such groups /no groups  

7

We vote for our president independently / president is the one who takes decisions / president would not allow anyone to be controlled

5

Existence of such organization would change the world/ there would not be wars/ life would improve

3

This organization would lead to chaos  /there would not be president / certain countries would fall apart 

3

I think so / I do not believe it exists / I can hardly believe that

3

Everyone would know about it / it is hard to hide

2

There are certain persons / there are organizations (UN) / corporations

2

Mass media / print media / Internet

1

Other

1

Don’t know

45

 

Organizations of groups of people who influence global processes and control the activities of many countries are often called the world government. In your opinion, what goals does the world government pursue? (open-ended question, any number of answers, % of those who believe in the existence of the world government)

 

% of respondents

Power / influence

30

Money / gain / wealth accumulation

16

Control over the population size / the Golden Billion

6

Personal goals / interests / profit

6

To harm Russia / against Russia

6

Peace / to soften conflicts

3

Struggle for resources

3

War / revolution / instability

3

Breakdown of countries /  devastation / struggle for territories  

3

Enslavement of people

2

Monopolar world / creation of a single state / monopoly

2

Finance management / economic interests

2

Negative goals / global destruction

1

Prosperity / development

1

Positive goals

1

USA wants to rule

1

Destruction of traditional values

1

Other

2

Don’t know

32

 

Who does the world government consist of? (open-ended question, not more than 5 answers, % of those who believe in the existence of the world government, line-by-line answers of at least 1% of respondents)

 

% of respondents

Oligarchs / rich men / bankers/ financial experts

23

USA

8

Politicians / heads of states

6

Businessmen / heads of large companies

3

The Rockefellers

3

England / UK

3

Influential high-profile people / elite / gray eminence

3

Leading countrie / their leaders

2

Masonry

2

The Rothschilds

2

Putin

2

Trump

1

Bankers /US oligarchs

1

Germany

1

Europe / EU

1

France

1

Russia

1

Bad people

1

 Military men/ special services

1

China

1

Israel

1

Soros

1

People in the shadow

1

UN

1

Illuminati / loges / Malthusian Order / Mormons

1

Criminal / mafia

1

Clans / influential families

1

British Queen

1

West / Western countries  

1

Religious organizations / church

1

Those who think of themselves / who strive for power

1

Scientists

1

Other

8

Don’t know

46

 

Which of the following statements do you agree with the most?

(closed-ended question, one answer, % of those who believe in the existence of the world government)

 

2014

2018

World government influences all the global processes and all the countries

38

27

World government influences only part of global processes; there are countries out of control of the world government 

33

57

Don’t know

29

16

 

In your opinion, do the activities of the world government contradict or meet Russia’s national interest today? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of those who believe in the existence of the world government)

 

2014

2018

Likely to contradict Russia’s national interest

57

74

Likely to meet Russia’s national interest

7

10

Unlikely to touch upon Russian interests directly  

6

7

Don’t know

30

9

 

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! The use of the Medialogia system content, fully or partially, must be accompanied by the reference to the Medialogia Company.

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