E-bulletin of IISEPS Center for Documentation, N 9, 2003 (only Russian) Content: Introduction Theme of the month: What is our future: integration on V. Putin’s or integration on A. Lukashenko’s view Person of the month 10 days of Alexander Yaroshuk imprisonment: punishment for disrespect to the court or a pressure on independent trade unions? Document …
Monthly Archive: September 2003
BULLETINS “IISEPS NEWS” N 3 (29) SEPTEMBER
IISEPS News, N 3 (29), 2003 Content: Preface Strengthening Role of Independent Social Research and Experts’ Networks in Belarus: Results of the public opinion polls Open Forum: Anatoly Lebedko “Five Plus” – Is There an Alternative? Bookshelf: Prof. Oleg Manaev, Ph. D., IISEPS “A Guide to Understanding Polls” Preface: Dear readers! The next issue …
REVERSE SIDE OF “INFORMATION SOVEREIGNTY”
In view of well-known reasons (single Russia-Belarus information space, strict control on the part of the authorities, poor quality of the Belarusian press in general, etc.), Russian electronic mass media were in the lead at the information market of Belarus when it gained independence. Yet in April of 2003 the Belarusians ranked Russia’s television the first among the sources providing information about this country and foreign countries (78.1%).
WHERE DOES A THREAT TO BELARUS’ INDEPENDENCE COME FROM?
A great part of the Belarusian elite still talks about the threat of losing independence as a real standing danger. The most probable scenario is said to be A. Lukashenko’s giving up sovereignty in exchange to his continuing the political career in Russia even at a lower post (e.g., governor of Severo-Zapadny Territory of Russia). The elite representing both the government and its opponents is unanimous in its aversion of such scenarios.
RATING AS A FACTOR OF POLITICAL MOBILIZATION
Public opinion appears to play progressively more important role in the politics of the most world countries. This means that increasingly more people get involved into the process of discussion and decision-taking. Sociological surveys and publication of their results in the mass media has become by far the most efficient instrument ensuring nowadays participation of public opinion in the process of government.
ELITE AND AVERAGE VOTERS ARE UNITED IN NOT WANTING A. LUKASHENKO’S THIRD PRESIDENTIAL TERM
A marked difference in the opinions of the elite and average voters is axiomatic in any country. To which extent does this statement apply to Belarus? First, we should like to compare the estimates given by public opinion leaders and experts, on the one hand, and common citizens, on the other, on general issues.
WHAT THE BELARUSIANS THINK ABOUT PRIVATIZATION
Unlike in the Soviet times when people didn’t and couldn’t have any personal property, at present many of the Belarusians have finally gained realty or other private ownership and are even not afraid to admit this. Nowadays, over 53% of adult population answers in the affirmative to such a question that we asked during our latest nation opinion poll.
PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION – 2004: REMINISCENCE ABOUT FUTURE
(Русский) Через год в Беларуси состоятся парламентские выборы. В соседней России значительная часть населения разочаровалась в самой избирательной процедуре, что наглядно продемонстрировали выборы мэра Санкт-Петербурга. В Беларуси же участвовать в выборах пока по-прежнему готово значительное большинство (табл. 1).
AUTUMN CRISIS OF INTEGRATION MOODS
Polling results reveal that, as usual, traditional strengthening of integration moods within the Belarusian electorate observed in spring has given place to a regular autumn crisis. As it can be seen from Table 1, the number of those standing for Russia-Belarus unification into a single state has dropped down by almost 28% (from 25.6% to 18.5%) for the past six months while the number of those supporting all integration variants that ensure independence of both countries has increased by nine points (from 67.3% to 76.3%).
WHY BELARUSIANS WANT TO EMIGRATE
(Русский) Результаты опроса показывают, что население, как и обычно, прежде всего озабочено экономическими проблемами и низким уровнем жизни (табл. 1). Как можно видеть, эти две группы проблем вместе составляют более трех четвертей всех ответов (78.8%).
Таблица 1. Распределение ответов на вопрос “Какие первоочередные проблемы внутри страны требуют, на Ваш взгляд, неотложного решения?” (открытый вопрос, возможно более одного ответа)