| Abstract [eng] |
The purpose of this arJicle is to analyse empirical data of public opinion surveys on attitudes towards Russia and Russians. The peculiarities of social demographic structure of Russians in Lithuania, peculiarities of their political attitudes, the role of Russian language in Lithuania are analysed as well. Analysis revealed that Lithuanians felt a serious threat from the Russian state in the 90s, later these anxieties became considerably lower. The improvement of political and economic relations between Lithuania and Russia is a desirable goal of population nowadays. Practically all spheres of life in Russia are evaluated negatively (political system, freedom, human rights, democracy, economic, development, education system, health care system, social security, justice system, moral norms). Only culture and art in Russia are evaluated positively. Attitudes towards Russians as the ethnicity are quite positive in Lithuania. The part of Russian ethnicity is slowly declining among the population in Lithuania. Russian population is more urban, better educated, have technical professions. Russians have had quite critical attitudes towards Lithuania's independence, participation in NATO. On the other hand, they supported membership in the European Union. Russian language is still popular in Lithuania (especially watching TV, listening music), but for younger generation English is preferable in many cases and one of the reasons - internet. |
