Translated material
Russia has come to terms with capitalism
Our power is a country of large bossy surprises, the revelry of which we now see on the occasion of the Moscow elected crisis. The system switched in one swing on such a scale of repression that has not allowed itself for more than thirty years.
With a clear interest, you ask yourself the question: in what other sections of life will they want to shake the old people? Will socialism be restored?
The question only seems ridiculous. In recent years, we have already seen several times: no matter how absurd the undertaking may be, but if it is, in principle, the authorities will easily take up it. Therefore, I would interpret the study of the Public Opinion foundation under the innocent name “Conditions for Entrepreneurship in Russia” as an attempt to hint to the leadership: well, at least don’t go here, the people will definitely not understand this.
So. “Entrepreneurial activity in our country was allowed about 30 years ago. What do you think, in general, private entrepreneurship brought Russia over the years more benefit or more harm? ”
Imagine that only 16% of respondents reported that “more harm”, and 59% - either “more benefits”, or, much less often, that “approximately equal benefits and harm”.
Dissatisfied with entrepreneurship are concentrated mainly among those who are in sixty. But even among them, who met the transition from socialism to capitalism already mature people, negative and positive reviews were divided approximately in half.
Among the Russians, not a single noticeable group was revealed, whether by age, education, well-being or place of residence, which would have clearly spoke out for the abolition of private business. And this is impressive - after all, a noticeable or at least a lot and a loudly protruding part of our social researchers assures that the Russians do not change over the years, and remaining "simple Soviet people."
Thirty years ago, hatred of entrepreneurs (“cooperators”, as they were called then) directly bubbled. And today we can say that half the battle has already been done. Only relatively few of the respondents admitted that they are entrepreneurs - only 5%. But another 36% reported that they have those among their friends. Until the moment when the merchant’s merchant or middle hand will take everywhere and perceive everywhere as the same person as everyone else is already a stone's throw.
Of course, FOM found out from his interlocutors whether they consider our business atmosphere favorable, in which direction it changes and whether the state should weaken its signature and control - or to strengthen it even more.
Most respondents (43%), of course, agreed with the idea that "in Russia adverse conditions for entrepreneurship have been created." And those to whom they see “favorable” are almost half (24%). And again, the alignment of answers to the question does not look like a surprise: "Are the conditions worsening in recent years?" 32% of respondents see deterioration, and only 17% fix improvements. It is clear that on both points the most skeptical people are educated, especially those under forty years old.
This is, so to speak, obvious answers. But unobvious ones were also discovered.
Firstly, the considerations expressed by those who are self-predicted as an entrepreneur.
Of these, good 30% reported that the conditions for business are favorable for us (they were all recognized as adversely by most merchants-61%). At the same time, the share of entrepreneurs who notice improvements in a business climate is noticeably increased. There are 26%of them. And registering deterioration - 52%.
As you can see, there is a noticeable detachment of optimists, pleased with the business climate, rejoicing that it becomes even better, and I will add, I will add a very positively to the question of whether it is possible to deal with business, without violating the laws, while the rest of the people were divided almost in half.
I have two explanations. Or some of the merchants, just in case, reports to the survey service about their loyalty. Or this is declared by our entrepreneurs who are actually comfortable in symbiosis with bureaucrats, controllers and guards who protect their wards from competitors, picky business partners and other creators of inconvenience for a feasible bribe.
And one more question addressed to all respondents and helps to understand why in our market there is such a deep stagnation in our market.
"Do you think the state should be stronger or weaker to regulate entrepreneurial activity?"
It would seem that the alignment of answers is easy to guess. The respondents themselves, listing the difficulties of doing business in Russia, willingly refer to corruption, bureaucratic red tape and “wrong actions of the authorities”. But it is worth pronouncing the magical word "state regulation", as they instinctively stand at the counter.
For “stronger” state regulation, 37% of respondents are expressed, and only 16% for the “weaker”. Only among the educated youth of “regulators” and “antiregulators” is approximately equally equally. Even the considerations expressed by the respondents in his favor speak of the damage-fundamental approach to entrepreneurship. Most often, people refer to the variety of goods and services produced and to create jobs, and only 2% of respondents said about the opening opportunities to find themselves and realize their ideas.
The Russians completely reconciled with capitalism, consider it quite practical, they do not want to think about the socialist past. But to the understanding that entrepreneurship is not only a way of production and a source of earnings, but also an expression of freedom and creativity, they still go and go.
However, what is is enough. More frequent fillings of the regime are not only to deform, but also to destroy entrepreneurship, the people will not understand and will not accept. If they are seriously continued and people feel them, then all the collisions taken together will seem to be a children's matinee.
Author - Observer of Rosbalt IA
Illustration: Exhibition "Poskat of the Revolution", 2017 , St. Petersburg