VOICE OF THE PEOPLE™

Democracy in Russia

There has been much debate internationally about the recent Russian Parliamentary Elections
and whether they were actually free and fair, as well as discussion as to whether Putin’s Russia
is moving away from democracy altogether. Gallup International’s Voice of the People Survey™,
which is conducted twice a year in more than 50 countries using more than 60,000 interviews,
has tracked global attitudes towards democracy for a number of years. Interviewing took place
between June and August, before elections and the results some interesting insights into views
about democracy.

It should be born in mind that the current electorate in Russia and neighboring countries was
born during the Soviet regime, and so perceptions of democracy and its aims by Russians
differs from that of Europeans. An analysis of the data collected by Gallup International for
Russia and for other ex-Soviet bloc countries shows that, whilst Russians may agree that their
elections are not free and fair and that the country is not governed by the will of the people, a
majority of Russian citizens are still favourable to democracy believing that although it has
limitations, it is the best system of Government and that, in general, they are satisfied with the
electoral system they have.

Main Findings

Democracy is the best system of Government

¾ Eight out of ten global citizens (79%) believe that although democracy may have
problems, it is the best system of government. However, in the other ex-Soviet bloc
countries, only two thirds agree with this statement (68%) and in Russia, the figure is even lower
with 64% agreeing.

¾ However, an analysis by age groups is revealing. Whilst 71% of Russians aged under
30 agree (either strongly or slightly) that democracy is the best system, only half (50%) of those
aged over 65 and therefore who spent the majority of their lives living under Soviet communism
agree. Also true is that, the higher the income level of the Russian respondent, the more they
agree that democracy is the best system of Government, despite its limitations.

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Democracy is the best system Russia

% who agree (strongly + slightly) All ex-Soviet bloc
World
79 79
70 68 68
62 62 64
57

2004 2005 2007

Satisfaction with Democracy

¾ Taking the world as a whole, seven out of ten surveyed (69%) say they are satisfied
with democracy but in ex-Soviet bloc countries this figure drops considerably to 56% and in
Russia it is only 57%.

¾ Again, the same demographic differences are found with younger people more likely to
say they are satisfied with democracy (65%) than those aged over 65 (41%). Similarly, low
income respondents are less satisfied with democracy (47%) than are those with high income
levels (68%).

In general, I am satisfied with democracy Russia

% who agree All ex-Soviet bloc
69
World
57 56

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Is the country ruled by the will of the people?

¾ Across the world, more than six out of ten (63%) do not feel that their country is ruled
by the will of the people. For the ex-Soviet bloc the proportion increases to 70% and this
opinion becomes even higher in Russia (80%).

Is your country governed by the will of the people? Russia

% who disagree All ex-Soviet bloc
79 80 80 World
75
71 70
65 63
62

2004 2005 2007

Are there free and fair elections?

¾ Globally, opinions are equally divided amongst those who believe elections are free
and fair in their countries (47%) and those who do not (47%). However, in ex-Soviet bloc
countries, less than a third believe elections are free and fair (31%) and in Russia itself, this view
was held by only a quarter of the population in June (26%), lending credence to the view that the
recent elections were not openly free and fair.

Are elections in your country free and fair? Russia

% who disagree All exSoviet bloc
74 World
71 71

62
58 59

48 47
45

2004 2005 2007

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EDITOR’S NOTES

The Voice of the People™ Survey

Gallup International’s unique survey Voice of the People© interviews more than 60,000 people in 56
countries around the world, representing the views and attitudes of more than 1.4 billion global citizens and is
conducted twice a year..In Russia, the Gallup International member, Romir Monitoring conducted 1573
interviews nationally with face to face interviewers between June 15th and June 21st 2007.

Gallup International
Registered in Zurich as a verein (Association), Gallup International was established in 1947 by George H
Gallup and his European colleagues. It currently has member agencies in 65 countries across the world,
conducting market and opinion research in more than 100 countries.

Contact:
Meril James, Secretary General
Tel: +44 20 8967 4039
Email: gallupinternational@btconnect.com

www.gallup-international.com
www.voice-of-the-people.net

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