European Public Opinion Three Decades After the Fall of Communism
Germans view unification positively but feel the East has been left behind
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- European Public Opinion Three Decades After the Fall of Communism
- Those in West and East Germany differ on whether some changes to society and culture were good
- Young people see benefits of changes to health care system since 1989/1991
- Perceptions about changing standard of living differ by income level
- Large increase in people saying the standard of living has improved after 1989/1991 changes
- Many say education, standard of living and national pride have improved in post-communist era, worry about effects on law and order, health care and family values
- People who lived under communism more convinced ordinary people did not benefit from societal changes
- Those with higher incomes more likely to say ordinary people benefited from changes since end of communism
- Increased optimism that changes in 1989/1991 benefited ordinary people
- Most see politicians and business people benefiting from changes since end of communism, more so than ordinary people
- Most Russians see great misfortune in dissolution of Soviet Union
- Except in Russia, uptick in those saying economic situation is better than under communism
- Mixed views on whether the economic situation changed for the better after communism
- People with more education favor shift to a market economy
- Young people are more likely to approve of movement to a capitalist economy than older generations
- In some countries, support for the transition to a multiparty system and a free-market economy has rebounded, although support in Russia has declined
- Generally, Central and Eastern Europeans approve of shift to multiparty system and a free market economy
- East and West Germany
- Views of Muslims more unfavorable among supporters of right-wing populist parties
- Women more likely than men to view gender equality as very important
- Younger groups are more optimistic about children’s financial future
- Most are optimistic about relations with other European nations and their own country’s culture
- Since 1991, life satisfaction has improved across Europe
- Largely positive views about the EU and its impact on member states
- Few believe elected officials care what they think
- Judicial fairness, gender equality seen as very important priorities across Europe
- More positive views about the current economic situation in northern European nations
- More optimism about the economic prospects for the next generation in Central and Eastern Europe
- Homosexuality more accepted in Western Europe
- Most in Central, Eastern Europe say post-communist era has been good for education, living standards and national pride
- Most in former Eastern Bloc approve of shift to multiparty and free market systems
- Since 1991, life satisfaction has improved across Europe
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