From: MSN NicknameEagle_wng  (Original Message)    Sent: 8/26/2005 4:21 AM
August, 26, 2005

Crisis in the Russian sociology: 58=16?

Russian experts on studying of the public opinion have been separated, as a matter of fact, into two conflicting camps. One of it on behalf of the VTSIOM gives the results representing the operating authority positively. Others, led by "Levada-center" (old structure of the VTSIOM) give the results of researches satisfying only the democratic opposition. The situation is close to critical, as you do not know who can be trusted: the VTSIOM, according to the data of which the slogan "Russia for Russians!" is supported only by 16 percent of Russians, or to "Levada-center", the experts of which have counted already 58 percent of the whole population of Russia, supporting this.

Apparently, the truth is somewhere in the middle, though everyday experience shows, that this "middle" is much closer to "Levada-center", than to the VTSIOM. There is another question. If such divergences in results of scientific researches become regular, it will be necessary to appeal to western experts. As after the reception of the obviously inconsistent data the Russian sociologists began to abuse each other. The Head of the VTSIOM Valeriy Fedorov has accused the colleagues from "Levada-center" in "work for Khodorkovsky", and they in turn have reminded that Fedorov "with comrades" illegally appropriated the known brand "VTSIOM". And also he obediently executes the orders of the authorities, which do not like the wide advertising xenophobia, the cases of which are multiplied in Russia for the last years like mushrooms after a rain. It is constantly marked by Russian and foreign legal organizations. The other day the Moscow bureau of human rights even made a special report, the theme of which was of xenophobia and racism, on the background of which the data of "Levada-center" about 58 percent of supporters of "Russia for Russians!" will seem to be not so scandalous.

However, all without exception sociological services of Russia are united in one. Most of all average Russian does not like Chechens; Chechens are followed by other Caucasian peoples, and the list is closed by the gipsy and Jews. About 10-15 years ago Jews headed the list out of touch from others.

What is the matter? Why have the negative preferences of the majority of the citizens of Russia changed so suddenly? Experts approve, that mainly this is handwork of mass-media and the state propagation. The policy of the state anti-Semitism was applied in the USSR and Jews "were going ahead". In modern Russia the anti-Caucasian, and as its deification – anti-Chechen propagation is applied. The results, certainly, were not slow to affect.

Even in Moscow they read serious press a little. For example, "Izvestiya" or the “New Newspaper”. Yellow newspapers are generally bought. And there is also a TV set in addition, where a decent person has nothing to watch except for REN - TV and the TV channel “Culture”. For on other channels there are different karaulovs, wandering and driving nonsense into the heads of trustful Russians, as the majority of them have not learnt to think independently for the years of perestroika and after it. And can you imagine, for example, the situation in a far Ural or Siberian province?! There almost nobody is interested in sociological calculations of the Moscow scientists. There they work to survive, and in the evenings watch the "brushed" news of the ORT, the NTV and the RTR, which are like twins and if not a sign on this or that channel in the top or the bottom corner of the screen, it would be simply impossible to distinguish them.

Demand for sociology is shown exclusively in the intellectual circles. The circles, which by definition is called to form a civil society. But in conditions, when manipulation with data of interrogations takes place, the ground leaves from under the feet. While sociologists argue about xenophobia. However, it looks like, it is only the beginning. We have got already experience of mass manipulations. It is like, for example, when in the Chechen Republic not so long ago they counted more than one million inhabitants. If sociologists apply such an experience, it will not seem to be too little. Then only the Kremlin and special services (what is, generally, the same) will have the real information and the cheap information cud will be offered to the society. The "war" of the leading Russian sociological centers reminds of a preparation for the next stage of mass fooling of Russians.

Taras Nemirovich, Russia, for Chechenpress, 26.08.05.
http://chechenpress.co.uk/english/news/2005/08/26/03.shtml