Presented by Harrison Morin

RUSSIA AND THE WEST

In the late 1980s, a majority of Russians supported pro-Western economic and political reforms.

Currently the situation has change in which many Russians are now questioning these reforms. Stems from a long time Anti-Western sentiment as well as

other factors including patriotism and political rhetoric. Anti-Western sentiment comes from the older generation(age

50+) as well as the younger generation.

INTRODUCTION

Since 1991 Russia has undergone an extreme transformation in terms of its political and economic structure. Original Goal: Create a western style democracy and

market economy. Recently, however, Russia is no longer striving to fulfi ll the goal

of the “Western Model” and has taken its own path.

Three reasons why this occurred:1. Many Russians dislike the West and Western ideals

throughout all social and economic strata.2. Soviet Anti-Western sentiment has not faded nor will this

new string of Anti-Western sentiment coming from the younger generation.

3. Russians dislike the socioeconomic values of the West (especially from the US) even though they rely on this model for their current economy.

REFORM SINCE 1991

Even though the relationship between Russia and the US has changed since the Cold War the sentiment of the Russian people has not. Many Russians still use rhetoric that portrays the US and

NATO as unfriendly. A 2003 poll from Georating states that 50% of Russians dislike

the US. A newer poll (done by Russia votes) shows that 74% of Russians

dislike the US. Age may be an important factor in these responses as those

who showed Anti-Western sentiment tended to be part of the older generation as well as the younger generation. Those in there 30s-40s generally showed little Anti-Western

sentiment.

ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE UNITED STATES

RUSSIA AND THE US STATS

RUSSIA AND THE US STATS

Given that the negative attitude towards the US may be a reaction to foreign policy, a study was also conducted on how they view the West’s socioeconomic model. Results: Very negative

In 2004 only 30% of responses were positive. In 2008 only 25% of response were positive.

This was also compared to the income of the participants which differed very little from the actual results. Although affl uent Russians tended to favor the Western model

slightly more than those making average pay or lower.

Three conclusions from this study:1. Russia does not like the Western model of society.2. The Attitude for Western society has worsened over 4 years.3. Rich Russians like the Western model slightly more than poor

Russians do.

THE NEGATIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE WESTERN MODEL

WESTERN MODEL STATS

WESTERN MODEL STATS

Data from polls done by various organizations like the World Bank illustrate Russia’s view of democracy. This data shows that is an outlier when it comes to favoring

democracy and even the market economy. This result changed greatly over the years.

In 1991, 51% of the people chose a democratic system over 39% who chose a strong hand government.

This changed in 2005 as 29% chose democracy while 66% chose a strong hand government.

This data shows that Russia would be more likely to choose a strong hand government over a democratic one. This data is strikingly similar when, in another poll, 81% of

Russians chose to have a strong economy rather than a good democracy.

From this we can conclude that Russians want a government that will have a strong hand in day to day operations but also one that would boost their economy signifi cantly.

ARE RUSSIANS UNIQUELY NONDEMOCRATIC

NONDEMOCRATIC STATS

Rather than be asked what Russians think of the West and other general concepts like democracy, a study was conducted in which respondents chose from 24 words of what they felt was important. The top three words chosen were: safety, peace, and material well

being. The term national power was one of the least chosen words along

with democracy and human rights. In a study done by the European Social Survey Russian were

put through a test which ultimately defi ned the defi nition of what it means why to be Russia. “This person wants to have a lot of money and expensive goods. It

is important to him/her to be respected. This person want people to do what he/she wants. He/she wants to be respected.” (ESS Definition of a Russian)

This defi nition tells us that Russia embodies a spirit of capitalism and that monetary and personal achievements are very important to Russians.

RUSSIAN CAPITALIST PRAGMATISM

One of the fi rst comprehensive studies on Russian beliefs and how they compare to that of the West’s was done in 1991. Researchers preforming this study found that Russian and

American attitudes on issues were surprisingly similar. A possible explanation for this data was that at the time the

research was preformed, Russia was starting to pick up steam with the idea of the market economy.

Since this time Russia has undergone a huge role reversal most notably in the step of nationalism and the rejection of the Western Model. The Yukos crisis also helped in the reversal of the liberal

economic policy. This reversal however also coincided with a huge amount of

economic growth which made many Russians believe that they were now on the right path.

WHY BELIEFS MATTER

RUSSIA’S HAPPINESS-GDP STATS

The trade off between economic gain and democracy is a huge belief that many Russians currently hold. Russians realize that prodemocracy Russia could potentially

get rid of their current economic benefits. This leads many Russians to choose a better economy over a

more democratic government.

This constraint is more important now as Russia economy continues to rapidly expand. The present government understands this conflict and that

is why President Putin as well as Dimitri Medvedev have spoken about their 2020 Strategic Economic Development Plan. This plan will focus on building a prosperous and “democratic”

society while also keeping the economy afloat.

RUSSIAN BELIEFS NOW

Many Russians have confirmed negative attitudes towards the West and Western values.

These attitudes will not change due to Russia’s traditional Anti-Western rhetoric as well as its political climate.

Anti-Western rhetoric has also increased significantly since Russia’s involvement in the Ukraine. This has also lead to the increased hostility from Russia

towards NATO and the US as Russia pushes into the Ukraine.

CONCLUSION AND LOOKING FORWARD