This book is a comprehensive account of trends in Russian public opinion over the period 1988-94. Analysing data from Russian polling organizations, it covers the development of a professional polling industry and looks at changing popular moods; the depth of democratic values; attitudes towards political institutions; the attempt to introduce a free market economy and views about the loss of empire. Concluding sections consider attitudinal differences between social groups, and the impact of public opinion on postcommunist politics.

List of Tables - Introduction - Acknowledgements - The Development of Russian Public Opinion - The Mood of the Nation - Public Opinion and Soviet Political Institutions - Public Opinion and Post Communist Political Institutions - Continuity and Change in Russian Political Culture - Attitudes to the Union - Attitudes to a Market Economy - One Nation? - Public Opinion and Post Soviet Politics - Bibliography - Index