|
Nation-wide home interviews conducted December 3-4 2005 in 100 residencies in 44 regions. A sample size of 1500 respondents. Additional polls of the Moscow population, with a sample of 600 respondents. The margin of error does not exceed 3,6%.
On the eve of Constitution Day, we asked Russians to discuss their feelings about the Russian Constitution. This year 36% of respondents expressed positive feelings toward the constitution, while 33% were negative. In 2002 when we last addressed this issue, positive and negative comments were also evenly distributed at 28 and 29% respectively. The proportion of respondents share unable to answer this question decreased markedly, from 43 to 31%.
Today 44% of respondents professed familiarity with the main principles of the Constitution, while 50% are unaware of the principal tenets. In 2002, 30% were familiar and 59% were unfamiliar.
Opinion is divided regarding the Constitution's effectiveness. 45% of respondents believe that the Constitution provides Russia with a strong foundation while about the same number of respondents, 43%, believes the Constitution to be a formality with no influence. "Competent" respondents (those familiar with the key points of the Constitution) were more likely to believe that the Russian Constitution is an influential document that affects every citizen rather than "incompetent" respondents - 51% and 43% respectively.
According to 50% of respondents, the Constitution should be reviewed from time to time "in accordance with the demands of a changing society," while 27% think that it is necessary to review the Constitution "only in extraordinary circumstances". A number of people (23%) found it difficult to express an opinion on this issue. Those with positive feelings toward the Constitution were less likely to suggest periodic review than those expressing negative sentiments - 36% and 60% respectively.
Supporters of periodic review argued that since live is constantly changing, laws can become obsolete ("social standards are changing and different trends appear") – 32%. Seven percent of respondents pointed to noticeable defects in the Constitution and suggested that the Russian Constitution fails to protect human rights. It was noted also that many principles set forth in the Constitution, as well as many other laws, are not observed ("we don't follow our Constitution"; "the laws in our country are not observed").
Those who opine that the Constitution can be revised only in extraordinary occasions were more likely to argue that the fundamental laws upon which a society rests cannot be frequently changed ("the law is the law, it cannot be changed according to whim"; "the Constitution should be a constant") – 8%. Some respondents noted that amendments can be introduced into the Constitution, although it is not permissible to change it completely (3%). Two percent of respondents said that it is unacceptable for politicians to change the Constitution in order to further their own interests ("the main principles of the Constitution should be independent of political figures") – 2%. Some people support the Constitution in its current for and are against any changes ("it is good enough – let's follow it") – 2%.
Opinion regarding the State Duma's decision to declare the December 12th Constitution Day holiday a work day was split: 40% approved of such a decision while 39% disapproved. However, the majority of respondents (61%) believe that this decision has no bearing on how Russians view the Constitution. Four percent of respondents think that the change will force citizens to respect the Constitution, while 19% of respondents hold the opposite opinion.
Svetlana Klimova
|
