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The optimism of the barracks
Sacrificing some democratic liberties for the sake of restoring order
Author: Daria Guseva
Summary prepared by Hayk Sargsyan of CDI
The All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VTsIOM) reports that citizens would prefer to see an increase in state regulation of the economy, and are even prepared to sacrifice some democratic liberties for the sake of restoring order. The poll was intended to determine how citizens see Russia's future eight or ten years from now, and what kind of course they think the next president should pursue in the socio-economic sphere, domestic politics, and foreign policy.
On the whole, respondents are optimistic about Russia's future: 62% say the situation will be better than it is now - that includes 18% who expect substantial improvements: that is, they see Russia as "a strong, prosperous state." Only a third as many respondents (22%) say the situation will get worse.
The proportion of optimists is highest among United Russia voters; 72% of them see only positive changes ahead. LDPR and Motherland (Rodina) voters are less optimistic, with 57% of them saying things will get better. But even Communist Party (CPRF) voters aren't predominantly pessimistic; 48% of them expect improvements, while only 31% expect things to get worse.
When asked about domestic politics, 37% of respondents expressed support for retaining the existing balance between democratic principles and law and order. A further 32% expressed support for a greater emphasis on law and order, up to and including temporarily abandoning some democratic standards and liberties.
Fifty-two percent of respondents say the next president should retain the balance established by Putin between cooperation with the West and defending Russia's national interests; 28% want a foreign policy that's more independent from the West, and 10% favor a closer relationship with the West.
Translated by Elena Leonova
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