2006-01-04-皮尤-Russia_s_Weakened_Democratic_Embrace_6页_55kb

Summary of 2005 Pew Global Attitudes Survey: Prosperity Tops Political Reform

The 2005 Pew Global Attitudes Survey highlights a decline in Russian public support for democracy, with a growing preference for prosperity and strong leadership. Unlike the early 1990s, when democracy was highly favored (51% preferred democratic government over a strong leader), current Russian opinion shows a nearly 66% preference for strong leadership versus 29% for democracy. This shift is attributed to economic dissatisfaction, perceived inequality, and the passage of restrictive legislation under President Putin.

Widespread disillusionment is evident across demographic groups, particularly men and younger adults ("revolutionary generation"), where enthusiasm for democracy waned significantly. Financial benefits from economic transition correlate with higher hopes in democracy, whereas those in lower-income brackets express greater fatigue for liberal democratic reforms.

In contrast, the Muslim world broadly favors democracy over strong leadership in five of six surveyed countries, emphasizing a key divergence from Russian trends. Russians prioritize economic prosperity over democracy, with 81% favoring a strong economy, up from similar levels in past polls. Comparable priority studies in other countries, such as India and Turkey, show varying preferences, but economic well-being often takes precedence.

The survey tracks these trends from 1991 to 2007, underscoring Russia's unique trajectory.