03.12.08

On the eve of the recent CPRF congress, the All-Russian Central Institute of Public Opinion conducted an opinion poll including 1,600 respondents from 42 Russian regions. According to the polling results, only 24% of respondents prefer leftist or socialist ideas, while the majority of respondents (33%) claim they support Russian traditional values, including 'national independence and sovereignty, strengthening of the state power, and protection of the national interests of the Russians'. Only 14% of the respondents support liberal ideas, including economic liberties, and human rights.

According to Valery Fedorov, All-Russian Central Institute of Public Opinion General Director, "Our questions regarding Russian traditional values are related not to the Russian March ideas, but to national conservatism as viewed by United Russia party members, including 'support of basic national ideas and stability'.

Alexei Grazhdankin, Levada Center Deputy Director,emphasizes: "Russians do not want to live under socialism any longer, they prefer 'to follow their own, unique road'. According to Alexei Grazhdankin, the Russian imperial idea has been increasing among population since 2002.

Of socially-oriented parties that proclaim support of social justice and labor interests, the respondent primarily support the United Russia party (47%); CPRF (30%), and Socialist Revolutionary party (18%). According to Fedorov, during the past ten years, all marginal ideologies have become even more marginal, while the Party of Power absorbed elements of their ideologies. However, he believes that there is no growth of extremist mood in the Russian society.

According to Alexander Brod, Moscow Human Rights Bureau Director, patriotic and national values are necessary, but 'an appeal to those values is being voiced in a nervous and hysterical manner'. In his words, during the past four years crimes related to nationalistic reasons increased by four times. Alexandr Brod believes that 'due to the onslaught of TV propaganda and politicians' speeches, we are forwarding not to patriotism, but to chauvinism', and describes the situation as 'a slant to supreme power ideas'.

Read More about Services from Alinga Consulting Group

Source: “Vedomosti”