Interview with Moscow Opinion Researcher
Russia is becoming dumber
Der Spiegel published a rather astonishing interview with the sociologist Lew Gudkow, who leads the opinion research institute Levada in Moscow. After reading the interview, I am surprised Gudkow has not already fallen from a high window. I have translated only his final conclusion and opinion, leaving out the details.
Spiegel: You have worked over 20 years for Levada. What do you personally think about the coming year?
Gudkow: I have no hope that things will get better. All power is centralized, the civil society is destroyed, and open debate is no longer possible. Most of the people are exhausted. One could compare it to old-age dementia, by which people no longer remember what happened yesterday, but relate tales of a happy life in the Soviet Union, or the myths under Stalin. The country is becoming dumber, and this cannot end well. There are ever more unprincipled and immoral persons in power. Such a regime can only survive through increasing aggressiveness.
Spiegel: This is a darker picture compared to a year ago. Will you continue your work?
Gudkow: Of course, that is my fate. I hope that some day, historians can use my work to help understand my country. This would be a success, even if delayed.