American sociologists have found the attitude of Russians to Putin
The activities of Vladimir Putin on the world stage received from the Russians a high rating, and its internal economic and anti-corruption policy is far more restrained. This is evidenced by held in 2017, the study by Washington-based nonprofit organization Pew Research Center.
As it turned out, the Russians are most satisfied with the foreign policy of the country since 2002 (when the Pew Research Center first conducted a study). The majority — 58% — with the way the country is going, 37% expressed dissatisfaction.
The majority of Russians (59%) believe that the global influence of Russia was higher, 17% disagree and believe that the country has become less influential. According to others, the level of influence remains the same. In General, however, Russians believe that Russia plays a more important role on the world stage than it was 10 years ago.
Vladimir Putin received lower scores on the part of relations with Ukraine than in 2014, in the midst of conflict. Then its validity was approved by 83% of respondents, now there remained 63%.
While 87% of Russians to some extent are unsure of the actions of the Russian President on the world stage and I think he showed himself to be relatively stable.
The relationship of Putin with the US estimated positively by 85% of respondents in 2015 (under Barack Obama), but during the reign of Donald trump, the number had fallen to 73%.
Putin’s intervention in the conflict in Syria in 2015 greatly changed Russian foreign policy. Almost half of Russians now believe that the country should adhere to in Syria chosen course (46%). Among those who believe that Russia should change course, 34% want intervention, Russia has decreased, while 11% want gain.
Speaking about the goals of Russia in the Syrian conflict, the majority (72%) calls reducing the number of victims, as well as the victory over extremist groups (64%). About a quarter said the purpose of the Kremlin to retain power, the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
The second factor affecting Russia’s relations with the West is NATO. 41% of Russians believe that this organization is the main threat to Russia.
In 2015, these Russians was 50%. However, 39% today called NATO a small risk, and 16% do not consider such.
The biggest internal problem the Russians see rising prices (71%) and corrupt political leaders (58%).
Among the main problems of respondents named the lack of employment opportunities (54%), terrorism (54%), the gap between rich and poor (53%), crime (52%), and corruption of the business elite (50%).
The opinion of Russians about the economic situation in the country and their own lives in General have changed for the better: if in 2015, 73% believed that the economy is bad, then today there are only 49%, and 46% believe that the economic situation was good.
The personal economic situation of the Russians, in their opinion, too, has leveled off. Glad it was 51% vs 44% in 2015. The young are even more optimistic than older people: 59% of those between 18 to 29 years, describe their own economic situation as good, at the same time, only 46% of those 50 and older feel the same way.
However, about the future Russians are not particularly confident: 53% believe that the national economy will remain the same or worsen next year.
Nevertheless, the Russians still approve of Putin’s actions relative to the economy (55%). The only included in the study, the problem, according to the Russians, he is not doing is corruption.
The approval by Russians of his actions in this direction decreased by 13% from 62% in 2015, to 49% this year. The older generation is less comfortable with Putin’s success in this field than the younger, so, less than half (46%) of people over the age of 50 approve of his actions in the fight against corruption. Endorsing him 18-29-year-olds 11% more.
The organization interviewed 1002 man from 18 February to 3 April 2017.
The Pew Research Center is an American non-governmental company dealing with the research of social issues, public opinion, and demographic trends in the United States and the world.