Study on the Generation of Putin – The protest in pictures from Moscow to be fooled, Young Russians are much more conservative than it seems: they do not see themselves as Europeans, and reject a return of the Crimea categorically.Zita Affentranger35 Kommentare35Die capital works differently: police officers arrest in the case of the Demos from the August 2019, one of the protesters. Photo: Evgeny Feldman/AP
Last summer went to Moscow, tens of thousands to the streets, protesting against unfair elections, corruption and the eternal, autocratic Regime of Vladimir Putin. Above all, it were those of young, very young Russians and Russians. Police officers in combat gear with helmet and nightstick led pale pupils. Of the Generation of Putin’s speech, the rises and Russia will sooner or later lead to a new future. A comprehensive study of “Russia’s Generation Z,” on the behaviour and values of 14 – to 30-Year-old, now shows: The protest fool images, it will probably take a while, up in Russia, something fundamentally changes.
1500 young Russians, the renowned Lewada Institute in cooperation with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung 2019/2020, i.e. before the Corona-crisis, all over the country were interviewed. It has been found that the political views of young Russians differ surprisingly little from the Beliefs of their parents.
Bad news for the West
Almost 60 percent of 14 – to 30-Year-old is not interested in politics. Although the Authority is not so large as in the adult. There are more and more Liberal, especially in Moscow and in large cities: It was this group, the audience went effectively to the road last summer. But the liberals make up only 16 percent. In the young Generation, there are much more nationalists. And the number of those who describe themselves as social Democrats or Communists, is the same as for adults.
the Bad news is not the study, but for the Kremlin, but for the West. European and American politicians who hope in dealing with Russia on a new, unloaded Generation, have to adjust to a longer losing streak: The young Russians have come to terms with the new confrontation between East and West, the island of Crimea in 2014 has been going on since the annexation of the Ukrainian Peninsula.
you can find this tense relationship now normal and have drawn the consequences: 58% say that Russia is not a European country. Only eight percent have the opposite opinion. And three-quarters of respondents also feel not really influenced by the Western culture. The largest part says that the Europeans are simply important to you: “you have never liked and have always had a fear of us. These battles are endless,” commented one Respondent, the relationship to Europe.
“you should fear us.”
, And also at the actual core of the dispute is to be expected, no relaxation. 67 percent of young Russians are of the firm opinion that Russia should not return the annexed Crimea, even if the Western sanctions would be eased.
In Eastern Ukraine, Russia will also play its controversial role: Only 29 percent are in favour to stop the “economic and military” support to the rebels in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. A slight majority is, after all, to exchange for “military and political prisoners” with the Ukraine.
it is Clear for the majority of young Russians, not the Russian side of the conflict between Europe and Russia is responsible. Only 15 percent make it to the Kremlin for the confrontation, two percent see the debt to the Russian army. Much of the blame for the confrontation with almost 50 percent of the United States, the incitement in the opinion of the young Russians, Europe and Russia against each other.
About one in five is the blame on the EU or Nato. After all, a small majority finds the relation between the West and Russia could be in principle friendly, but 42 per cent are convinced that it will always be mistrust dominated. “We’re fine without that,” commented one Respondent, “we are an independent country that has enough of all kinds of resources.”
the Western policy on Russia, in principle, into question: While Americans and Europeans continue to bring Russia with sanctions to relent in Ukraine, is only a third of young Russians are of the opinion that a further deterioration of relations with Russia would be a Problem. “You should have fear of us,” says an interviewee. “We have a huge nuclear capacity,” says another. In all of the combative rhetoric, it is no wonder that a war is what young Russians according to the survey, most of the fear (60 percent are very concerned). After that, the climate change follows with 54 percent.
The critical attitude towards the West is not everywhere in Russia, it is Moscow in particular, which occupies a more open attitude. This is not only in the Figures of the survey, but also in the comments of the respondents to the expression. “Moscow is of course Europe, but Vologda is not at all Europe,” says a Person from the city in the North-West of Russia. “Moscow is an independent state, like Vatican city,” reads another comment.
“we’re fine without them.”
almost 30 years after the end of the Soviet Union, the impact of the Soviet legacy, after a time, however, the only very hesitant. Over a third of young Russians between the ages of 14 and 17 years of age, evaluated the fall of the Soviet Union is still negative. In the case of the respondents is between 25 and 30 who have not experienced the old times also, the share of almost 50 percent.
The rejection of the Communist dictatorship is growing very little, the youngest Russians to the Soviet Union, indifferent or have no opinion on it. “The quality of life is better,” commented a Respondent between the ages of 18 and 24. “We now have phones, big TV and all that.” Or: “Today there is more transparency. It was under Stalin. I think the Situation is better now.”
“Everything belonged to the state, that was good.”
Others mourn of a physical security, as do their parents and grandparents: “back Then, you knew that you get a Job when you studied”, says a young Russian. Another says: “Everything belonged to the state, and that was good.” Today, everything revolves only around the question of how to pay back his loans.
As a guarantor of stability in the case of the 14 – to 30-Year-old President Vladimir Putin and the Russian army, especially in the villages and in small towns. The young Generation is the Same as the older one: “All my colleagues want stability and reliable prospects for the future. The most important of all,” reads a comment from Novosibirsk.
“You learn not to trust anyone.”
Despite the high Approval ratings for Putin: Impressed autocracy trailer, young Russians are not: the democratic model like, almost half of them referred to democracy as the right form of government for Russia. But at the same time, many of the call is approximately equal to the Regime of the strong Hand is essential, or a leading party that tells the people what is really important. “If something changes, if I take to protests?”, a comment is. “Not really, no. The people are not frustrated, you can go longer on the road.”
The trust in the political parties or the trade unions, with around 8 percent very deep. Not better, international or Western institutions: the EU, the UN, the OSCE or the International monetary Fund (IMF). The mistrust is widespread: “When you grow up in this System, you learn not to trust anyone. If you get new neighbors, do you, that you are afraid,” says one Respondent.
“they All want to make money.”
However, around 90 percent of young Russians, according to the survey, with their private lives, with their families and friends satisfied. And look for also to the future with confidence: 81 percent say that in ten years everything will be better. The speech, however, is on the Russian society and the state, the Confidence literally: Only 40 percent are sure that it will get better. One out of every five is even convinced that the situation is worse in Russia.
Many of the take care of therefore to their own Affairs: “people are mostly interested in money,” said a young Respondent. “They all want only to earn money. I don’t know anyone who has big dreams.”
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