The majority of Russians think they should solve their own problems instead of going to the authorities, while nearly a third believe they are fully dependent on the government, a recent indicates.
Fifty-nine percent of respondents opted for self-sufficiency, down 5 percent from last year, according to a survey published Tuesday by the independent Levada Center pollster.
Another 28 percent of respondents said that their lives fully depend on the authorities, compared to 22 percent in March 2013.
Only 5 percent said they take their grievances to state officials.
These responses may be a reflection of Russians' general detachment from their country's politics.
Only 12 percent think they can influence state policies, and just 19 percent believe they can affect regional politics, the poll shows.
Three-quarters of Russians said they were not prepared to participate more actively in politics.
In a question that allowed for multiple answers, 32 percent of respondents said they choose to steer clear of politics because they think it should be left to state officials, while 23 percent said they don't think their efforts would make any difference.
A fifth said they are too busy for politics, 18 percent confessed to not understanding politics or government functions, and 16 percent lamented that it is a "dirty business."
The poll was conducted from March 21-24 among 1,603 Russians in 45 regions. The margin of error did not exceed 3.4 percentage points.
See also:
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
