Resuscitation of imperial complexes

Lev Gudkov - about moods in Russia

- Our last measured in the twentieth of February, after which there was a very intense propaganda campaign. I can only assume about its results now. I think that it will have a significant impact. Despite the fact that the propaganda processing of public opinion was underway, the majority of the population was distanced from what was happening, neither the Maidan nor its opponents supported that this was an internal affair of Ukraine, and she should understand whether to join the European Union or not. In January, nevertheless, propaganda really began to convince people, especially in the provinces, where the information field is much weaker, in the fact that the unrest in Kyiv and in the western regions of Ukraine is the impact of the Western countries, the influence inspired by the West, and the preparation of the coup. In January, almost 83%thought so, in February this figure fell sharply, almost doubled.

The spectrum of understanding, explanation, interpretation of what is happening has become more diverse. The opinion appeared that this is a popular uprising against the corrupt regime, and that this is the speech of the nationalists, the outrage against the cruel dispersal of the "berkut" of students. Such an attitude began to break up into different versions. The responsibility for what was happening mainly on Yanukovych, in second place the factor of the West and in third - the opposition factor. A very small number of people, a very small liberal part of the public, paid attention to the provocative role of the Russian leadership.

People will insist on maintaining the integrity of Ukraine and at the same time approved the calls to support the actions of the new Crimean leadership. It is very important here what sources of information are used. With such completely frantic propaganda, false and total, almost now there is not a single source that gives any balanced and diverse information. There is a pure demagogy through all the main channels, especially in the province, in small cities where there is practically no Internet. Another version simply will not arise. Therefore, there is a hysterical escalation of all kinds of grievances, complexes, phobias. I'm afraid it will be very effective

As the latest events, that is, in fact, the beginning of the war, will be appreciated on public moods, it is very difficult for me to evaluate. I think there will be a dual reaction. Firstly, the previous installation (very characteristic) will be preserved-not to intervene. On the other hand, there will be a negative reaction characteristic of advanced and educated groups, residents of large cities, and for the province there will be more support for this policy and the approval of Putin. Most are ready to return Sevastopol and Crimea and include it in the Russian Federation. Therefore, the probability of approval of power policy is very high.

- The international community insists on maintaining the territorial integrity of Ukraine. How do Russians look at this problem? How widespread is the opinion that Crimea, and maybe even eastern Ukraine, if they should not be part of the Russian Federation, then, at least, can be under its control?

- I think that in Russia, both of them will be approved, no matter how strange it seems. In the Russian mind, this will not be a contradiction. People will insist on maintaining the integrity of Ukraine and at the same time approved the calls to support the actions of the new Crimean leadership. It is very important here what sources of information are used. With such completely frantic propaganda, false and total, almost now there is not a single source that gives any balanced and diverse information. There is a pure demagogy through all the main channels, especially in the province, in small cities where there is practically no Internet. Another version simply will not arise. Therefore, there is a hysterical escalation of all kinds of grievances, complexes, phobias. I'm afraid it will be very effective.

- Can we talk about mass support of military invasion?

-Until recently, we recorded an extreme reluctance for Russia to get into some military adventures. 70% of respondents believed that Russia should not use power methods to solve the Ukrainian problem. But it was until recently. What will happen now is very difficult for me to say. Still, mass consciousness thinks stereotypically, depends on television, propaganda system and has a very weak immunity of resistance against such intense suggestion. I'm afraid that the complexes of imperial consciousness will come to the surface and will be reanimated.