Those in West and East Germany differ on whether some changes to society and culture were good

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October 9, 2019

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

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Those in West and East Germany differ on whether some changes to society and culture were good

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European Public Opinion Three Decades After the Fall of Communism
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
Germans view unification positively but feel the East has been left behind
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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ABOUT PEW RESEARCH CENTER Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts.

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