What’s on Russian minds

Press, 17 November 1987, Page 16

What’s on Russian minds

What were Russians thinking as they listened to Mr Mikhail Gorbachev explain his new revolution on the anniversary of the old one they are used to? Some clues are to be found in a source that is unusual for Russia: an opinion poll, devised and carried out with the help of a French agency. The French polling agency, IPSOS, suggested the idea, and the questions it would like to put, towards the end of August. By mid-September the Russians had agreed. This month the poll’s French sponsors — “Le Point,” France-Inter and TF-1 — reported the results, which have yet to appear in Russia itself. All the French questions were accepted, including a sensitive one about Afghanistan. The French supervised the Russian pollsters as they selected the sample and put the questions.

Getting answers wasn’t always easy, nor is it possible to know just how uninhibited the answers were. Roughly one in eight of those contacted refused to cooperate (3-4 per cent is the norm in France). Of the 1000 who did, 25 per cent thought Stalin one of their country’s three most "important” leaders. Mr Gorbachev was judged such by 31 per cent, Lenin by 64 per cent. Mr Gorbachev will find more encouragement in the reactions of some of his policies. More than 80 per cent of the respondents approved of competitive elections for local councils, and of the election of Industrial managers by those who work for them. Alternatives to working for the State were also popular, especially "individual" enterprise (approved of by 79 per cent compared with 65 per cent who said they liked cooperatives).

Loosening social discipline pleases Russians less. Fully 86 per cent said they favoured limits to the sale of alcohol, and 85 per cent approved of the death penalty. Letting dissidents leave the country is fine (73 per cent approve); letting them out of jail and on to the streets is not (only 27 per cent approve, while 42 per cent object). Over half of those questioned favoured a total Russian withdrawal from Afghanistan. In other military matters, Russians seem to accept the Government’s view more readily. Most like the idea of a deal to get rid of medium-range missiles. They judged their country’s main enemy to be America, followed by West Germany. Less obviously, Ivan Ivanovich reckons Russia’s second-best friend is India. Best is Bulgaria. Bad luck, Ivan. Copyright — The Economist.