A particularly good index of this has been a recent Levada opinion survey, also somewhat covered in the Russian press, about attitudes to United Russia, Putin and the elite in particular. I reproduce them below, although in some cases I have eliminated some columns, especially of earlier samples, in the interests of space. This must be pretty uncomfortable reading in the Kremlin.
WITH WHICH THESE STATEMENTS ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN POWER NOW DO YOU AGREE?
|
These are people who… |
2/06 |
3/10 |
1/12 |
8/12 |
4/13 |
|
care about the welfare of the people |
10 |
12 |
19 |
14 |
10 |
|
are concerned only with their privileges and income |
56 |
40 |
37 |
33 |
41 |
|
are educated, knowledgeable professionals |
15 |
22 |
22 |
25 |
18 |
|
are organizers and practitioners, able to work with people |
12 |
14 |
15 |
14 |
12 |
|
are convinced ideologists |
6 |
10 |
9 |
7 |
6 |
|
are advocates of the ‘pre-perestroika’ (Soviet) order |
3 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
are concerned with the government itself |
43 |
27 |
34 |
32 |
34 |
|
Other |
1 |
1 |
<1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Hard to tell |
6 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
9 |
TO WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS ON CORRUPTION IN RUSSIA DO YOU AGREE?
|
3/12 |
11/12 |
4/13 |
|
|
Putin will be able to succeed in the fight against corruption, purging the ranks of top officials and toughening the punishment for such crimes |
27 |
27 |
20 |
|
Putin will try to fight against corruption, but he is unlikely to make significant progress because it is deep-rooted in Russia |
35 |
35 |
35 |
|
Putin will find it hard to fight corruption, as he himself is largely dependent on corrupt officials |
15 |
21 |
21 |
|
Putin will not seriously try to fight against corruption, as he is in some way involved |
15 |
12 |
17 |
|
Do not know |
6 |
6 |
7 |
WHAT, IN YOUR OPINION, IS MORE IMPORTANT TO THE PEOPLE WHO NOW HOLD POWER IN RUSSIA?
|
The prosperity of the country |
26 |
|
To maintain and strengthen their own power |
62 |
|
Hard to tell |
12 |
DO YOU THINK THAT PUTIN IS NOW MORE INTERESTED IN THE STATE OF THE COUNTRY OF HIS OWN INTERESTS?
|
1/05 |
1/07 |
1/08 |
1/12 |
4/13 |
|
|
The country’s problems |
31 |
48 |
56 |
40 |
33 |
|
His personal financial interests |
55 |
36 |
29 |
41 |
52 |
|
Hard to tell |
14 |
16 |
16 |
19 |
16 |
DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THE INCOME DECLARATIONS OF SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, MEMBERS OF THE FEDERATION COUNCIL AND STATE DUMA DEPUTIES REPRESENT ALL THEIR AVAILABLE INCOME AND PROPERTY TAXES OR ONLY PART OF THEM?
|
4/10 |
4/11 |
4/12 |
4/13 |
|
|
All |
2 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
Most |
10 |
11 |
13 |
15 |
|
Minority |
44 |
43 |
38 |
43 |
|
Infinitesimal part |
34 |
34 |
32 |
28 |
|
Hard to tell |
10 |
11 |
15 |
11 |
WHY DO YOU THINK THE RICHEST STATE DUMA DEPUTIES BELONG TO THE “UNITED RUSSIA” BLOC?
|
Because “United Russia” unites and protects the interests of the rich |
31 |
|
Because the administrative resources of “United Russia” open up opportunities for rapid enrichment |
44 |
|
This is a historical process |
15 |
|
Hard to tell |
10 |
DO YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH THE VIEW THAT “UNITED RUSSIA” IS THE PARTY OF CROOKS AND THIEVES?
|
2/12 |
6/12 |
8/12 |
9/12 |
11/12 |
2/13 |
4/13 |
|
|
Definitely yes |
15 |
17 |
15 |
13 |
13 |
16 |
18 |
|
Probably yes |
21 |
24 |
30 |
25 |
25 |
24 |
33 |
|
Probably not |
30 |
28 |
30 |
27 |
26 |
27 |
24 |
|
Definitely not |
17 |
12 |
12 |
17 |
14 |
14 |
9 |
|
Hard to tell |
17 |
19 |
13 |
19 |
22 |
18 |
16 |
Take, for example, the last, specific point about UR being the “Party of Crooks and Thieves”–something which was, after all, Navalny’s inspired “PZhiV” memetic salvo. Over half, 51%, of respondents definitely or generally agree. Remember, 51% are not also devoted Navalny groupies (most have not heard of him, and of those who have, most express dislike or mistrust of him), but nonetheless his meme has spread well beyond his own circle, and it is also supported by those separate indices that see United Russia as the rich man’s (or woman’s) home and the elite habitually understating their true incomes.
The sad and worrying thing about the present struggle for the hearts and minds of Russia, though, is that it is pretty much entirely negative. Navalny presenting the elite as self-serving and corrupt; the Kremlin trying to do the same to him. How long will it be before anyone is able to start presenting some positive visions for Russia’s future?
