This week’s report consists of 21 surveys. Two of these surveys are multi-country while the rest are national surveys. A wide range of issues has been raised ranging from the war in Afghanistan, unrest in Palestine, political debates in U.S. to the various iss
ues in Latin America and other regions.
This week the world in general and the Germans in particular marked the completion of second decade since the Berlin Wall fell. This provided pollsters the opportunity to revisit the publics’ perceptions about communism, Soviet Union and a resurging Russia. The improving economy, abundant energy resources, stable governments, popular leadership, and recent military adventure of Russia in South Ossetia suggest a trend towards resurgence. But how accurate is the notion? Do Russians really perceive themselves as a powerful nation? A recent Pew survey helps portray Russian sentiments and aspirations.
Nationalist sentiments are quite evident in Russians. About six in ten Russians were disappointed with the downfall of the Soviet Union. Compared to 1991, more than twice Russian respondents say that Russia is for Russians. Similarly, more Russians today than in 1991 say that it is natural for Russia to have an empire. This shows that as a nation they are feeling stronger than ever since the collapse of the Soviet Union and aspire to regain their lost status. Probably their intentions and aspirations are felt across Europe. None of the countries in either east or west Europe except Ukraine and Bulgaria have a positive view of Russian influence in world politics.
Is it possible for Russia to regain its previous status as one of the super power in the world? Can it surpass or equate U.S and China’s economic and military powers? Russian may be very optimistic, but ground realities are tough and harsh for Russia. Russia’s popularity as global power is quite negative in most of Europe. Moreover Russia’s main asset in its resurgence has been its energy reserves. Russia earned handsome foreign exchange with the hike in oil prices. Its intentions to exploit gas channels to Europe should not be overlooked. But this globalized world is quite complex and interdependent. How far can Russia exploit the energy market? If Europeans are dependent on Russian gas then Russians are also dependent on European market for selling its gas. Neither can exploit each other beyond a certain limit. So only economic power may give Russia a good status among Europeans but it can not use this alone as a mean for its resurgence.
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ues in Latin America and other regions.This week the world in general and the Germans in particular marked the completion of second decade since the Berlin Wall fell. This provided pollsters the opportunity to revisit the publics’ perceptions about communism, Soviet Union and a resurging Russia. The improving economy, abundant energy resources, stable governments, popular leadership, and recent military adventure of Russia in South Ossetia suggest a trend towards resurgence. But how accurate is the notion? Do Russians really perceive themselves as a powerful nation? A recent Pew survey helps portray Russian sentiments and aspirations.
Nationalist sentiments are quite evident in Russians. About six in ten Russians were disappointed with the downfall of the Soviet Union. Compared to 1991, more than twice Russian respondents say that Russia is for Russians. Similarly, more Russians today than in 1991 say that it is natural for Russia to have an empire. This shows that as a nation they are feeling stronger than ever since the collapse of the Soviet Union and aspire to regain their lost status. Probably their intentions and aspirations are felt across Europe. None of the countries in either east or west Europe except Ukraine and Bulgaria have a positive view of Russian influence in world politics.
Is it possible for Russia to regain its previous status as one of the super power in the world? Can it surpass or equate U.S and China’s economic and military powers? Russian may be very optimistic, but ground realities are tough and harsh for Russia. Russia’s popularity as global power is quite negative in most of Europe. Moreover Russia’s main asset in its resurgence has been its energy reserves. Russia earned handsome foreign exchange with the hike in oil prices. Its intentions to exploit gas channels to Europe should not be overlooked. But this globalized world is quite complex and interdependent. How far can Russia exploit the energy market? If Europeans are dependent on Russian gas then Russians are also dependent on European market for selling its gas. Neither can exploit each other beyond a certain limit. So only economic power may give Russia a good status among Europeans but it can not use this alone as a mean for its resurgence.
The complete detailed weekly reports of the project can be found on theGilani Research Foundation website.
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