INDEPENDENT RESEARCH AGENCY

Menace to peace

Growth of the international political turmoil, exacerbation in relations between Russia and Western world countries (USA, EU, Japan, Australia), military conflicts in different regions of the world, the outbreak in Africa – all this makes us give a thought to dangers the humanity is currently facing. Many challenges can be with real effectiveness addressed only through joint efforts of different countries.

Bashkirova and partners independent research company has wondered by Russian citizens, which of threats they see as most critical

Russians we have interviewed perceive dissemination of nuclear weapons and religious animosity as the most dangerous threats. 28% of respondents have pointed to these above all.  Despite the fact that media were giving little focus to issues of nuclear programs in North Korea and Iran in 2014, our people, realizing the danger of extremists getting these highly destructive weapons in their hands, are greatly concerned with the problem of (uncontrolled) dissemination of nuclear weapons development technologies.

Unsettling news from the Middle East on military successes of religious fanatics in Syria and Iraq could not leave our people indifferent. Russians are firsthand familiar with terrorists’ threat from Islamic fundamentalists and this knowledge has influenced the high rating for the interreligious animosity.

Fifth part of the respondents (20%) has pointed to social inequality as main threat. They believe this pre-condition is the key driver of political instability. At least 12% feel great concerns about pollutions to environment, and the tragedy at Fukushima has proved - even economically developed states aren’t insured against massive human-made disasters. 9% of the interviewed believe spread of infectious diseases is the major threat to the world. This is particularly topical on the background of the ongoing Ebola virus disease outbreak in Africa.

 In overall we may assume, that our citizens are well aware of the existing global threats and estimate their dangerous potential adequately.

 

This study was conducted early September 2014 based on all-Russia random route sample (18+) by means of face-to-face interviews in place of residence. Altogether 1500 respondents in 8 federal districts, 150 settlements, 200 sample points have been surveyed. The sample error makes up 2,5%.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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