JUNE 2010
ISSN 1233-7250
POLISH - RUSSIAN RELATIONS
CONTENTS:
R POLISH - RUSSIAN
RELATIONS
R THE HISTORICAL
SIGNIFICANCE
OF THE SOLIDARITY
MOVEMENT
R THE INTRODUCTION
OF THE EURO IN POLAND
R INTERNET ABUSE
After the Smolensk air
crash, the opinions about Polish Russian relations have changed.
So far they were perceived as
rather cool than friendly but
presently twice as many people
see them as good (29%) rather
than bad (15%). Still, the
majority of respondents (52%)
describe them as neither good
Russian
Government
45%
13%
10%
4a Żurawia
00-503 Warszawa
POLAND
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Editor:
Beata Roguska
Translated by
Michał Wenzel
© COPYRIGHT BY
CBOS 2010
ALL SOURCES MUST BE CREDITED
WHEN ANY PART OF THIS
PUBLICATION IS REPRODUCED
70%
60%
30%
20%
Don't know
good
10%
0%
IV
2000
45%
exceeded expectations
40%
below expectations
don't know
bad
40%
Russian
society
as expected
neither good nor bad
50%
WAS THE REACTION OF THE RUSSIAN
GOVERNMENT AND THE RUSSIAN SOCIETY
AFTER THE SMOLENSK TRAGEDY:
32%
PUBLIC OPINION
RESEARCH CENTER
- CBOS -
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT PRESENT POLISH - RUSSIAN
RELATIONS?
6%
9%
II
2002
IV
2005
XII VI
2006 2007
IV
2008
IX
V
2009 2010
nor bad. In comparison to March, the percentage
of positive opinions grew by 21 points and
negative opinions fell by a similar number (23
points).
Nearly half of respondents (45%) say that
the behaviour of the Russian Government and the
Russian society after the Smolensk tragedy was
what they expected. A considerable number think
that the Russian Government and the Russian
society behaved in an unexpectedly positive way.
Few people say that the reaction of both the
Government and the society was
insufficient.
The majority of Poles (58%)
believe that the Russian Government
honestly wants to explain the reasons of
the Smolensk air crash. However, one
third (32%) are not certain about it.
DO YOU THINK THAT THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT
HONESTLY WANTS TO EXPLAIN THE REASONS
OF THE SMOLENSK AIR CRASH?
Definitely yes
Rather yes
19%
39%
Don't
know
24%
Rather not
8%
10%
Definitely
not
More information about this topic can be found in CBOS report in Polish: "Polish - Russian relations",
June 2010. Fieldwork for national sample: May 2010, N=1000. The random address sample is representative for
adult population of Poland.
THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
OF THE SOLIDARITY MOVEMENT
This year Poland will be
celebrating the thirtieth
anniversary of Solidarity (NSZZ
„Solidarność”). The events of
1980 - 1981 (the so called early
Solidarity) started the process
which ultimately led to political
transformations in Poland.
WHAT WAS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE EARLY SOLIDARITY
MOVEMENT OF 1980 - 1981?
70%
43%
27%
23%
35%
46%
2% 7%
it was
a turning point
13%
it was important
it wasn't very
but not more
significant
so than other events
For Poland
1% 2% 4%
it was
meaningless
For other countries in the former Eastern block
4%
13% 10%
Don't know
For the world
2
POLISH PUBLIC OPINION
The majority of Poles (70%) think that the early
Solidarity movement of 1980 - 1981 was a turning point
in Polish history. Nearly a quarter (23%) claim it was
important but not more so than other events. Only a few
people say that the movement was insignificant for
Poland. Over two fifths of respondents (43%) believe
Solidarity was meaningful for other countries in the
former Eastern block. More than a quarter of respondents
(27%) claim that it was also significant for the whole
world.
In the public opinion, the impact of early
Solidarity was multidimensional and the effect it left
lasted long after the first sixteen months after its founding
(the so called "Solidarity Carnival"). Although many
different factors led to the political transformations of
1989, Solidarity was - beyond doubt - one of them. It is
also unquestionable that Solidarity had a pivotal role in
the existence of an independent Poland. In the public
opinion Solidarity helped to shape the identity of Poles.
More than four out of five adult Poles (82%) think that the
movement had a considerable influence over who we
presently are as a nation and society. A vast majority of
respondents (66%) say that the movement created the
feeling of true solidarity in the society and revealed the
best in people.
WHAT DO YOU THINK WERE THE MOST IMPORTANT AIMS
FOR SOLIDARITY OF 1980 - 1981?
Independence of Poland
Solidarity had a considerable influence over who we presently are as a nation
and society
47
7 2
(%)
9
43
7 1 11
the Solidarity movement created the feeling of true solidarity in the society
and revealed the best in people
27
39
I definitely
agree
I rather
agree
I rather
disagree
16
I definitely
disagree
49%
Fight for freedom and civil rights
Fight for equal rights and equal treatment
of all Polish citizens
40%
Fight for decent working conditions
and wages of the working class
39%
Improvement of life conditions of people
in Poland in general
34%
6
18%
Reinstating patriotic and religious values
in the country
Something else
Don't know
Solidarity of 1980 - 1981 had a pivotal role for the emergence of an independent
Poland in 1989
38
57%
Control of the Government and influencing
politicians' decisions
DO YOU AGREE THAT...
35
working class, namely: decent working conditions and
wages. Only slightly fewer people said that one of the
movement's main aims was the improvement of living
conditions. In the public opinion, the desire to participate
in governing the country (controlling the Government
and influencing its decisions) was less meaningful. Few
people perceive Solidarity as mainly patriotic and
Catholic movement.
The respondents seem to have a rather lofty
image of the early Solidarity. The movement united
people because it referred to universal values rather than
any particular views or political preferences. At the same
time, it did not wish to govern the country or to secure the
influence over politicians' decisions. If we were to
mention three aims that in public opinion were most
important for Solidarity we should mention: freedom,
equality and dignity.
12%
1%
5%
More information about this topic can be found in CBOS report in
Polish: "The historical significance of the Solidarity movement",
June 2010. Fieldwork for national sample: March and April 2010,
N=1803. The random address sample is representative for adult
population of Poland.
12
Don't
know
Solidarity was and is perceived as something
more than a trade union. Such an attitude is evident in the
way the respondents perceive the aims of this union. Poles
do not see Solidarity as focussing on work and material
issues only. In the public opinion, the early Solidarity was
a movement fighting for independence and emancipation.
The prevailing number of people mention the
independence of Poland as one of the main goals on
Solidarity's agenda. The second most frequently
mentioned aim is fighting for freedom and the civil rights.
The respondents claim that equality and justice were also
crucial for the movement (two fifths of the surveyed
people said equal rights and equal treatment of all citizens
were among the union's major aspirations). Almost the
same number mentioned fighting for the dignity of the
THE INTRODUCTION
OF THE EURO IN POLAND
Joining the eurozone remains one of the major
goals of the present government. At the beginning of the
year, Donald Tusk's government revealed the plan for
2010 - 2011 that aims to repair the public finances. Its
main intention is to reduce debt and budget deficit in
order to fulfil the requirements set in the Maastricht
Treaty which would allow Poland to join the eurozone in
a few years.
When the euro was introduced in 2002 in most of
the member countries of the European Union at that time,
two thirds of Poles (64%) supported the replacement of
the Polish zloty with the euro (it was still before Poland
joined the EU). Yet after Poland entered the Union, the
approval for joining the eurozone noticeably decreased.
3
Between 2007 and 2008 the percentage of supporters and
opponents was similar. However, in the first quarter of
2009 - when Slovakia joined the eurozone and Poland
was discussing whether or not the country should swiftly
introduce the euro- the support for the common European
currency grew to 52%. Presently, doubts concerning euro
introduction are yet again rising - two fifths (41%)
support the planned introduction of the euro and nearly
half (49%) oppose it. Perhaps the case of Greece,
standing on the verge of bankruptcy, made Poles realize
that entering the eurozone is not in itself a guarantee of
economic and financial stability of the country. It is also
probable that some Poles realise that Poland does not
fulfil at present the criteria to join the eurozone.
WOULD YOU AGREE TO REPLACE THE POLISH CURRENCY
(ZLOTY) WITH THE COMMON EUROPEAN CURRENCY
(THE EURO)?
Definitely yes
Rather yes
35%
I 2002
I 2007
19%
XI 2008
19%
25%
28%
24%
28%
III 2009
24%
29%
15%
Definitely not
29%
I 2009
IV 2010
Rather not
26%
13%
Don't know
9%
14%
26%
20%
21%
24%
8%
20%
10%
18%
21%
24%
17%
25%
10%
9%
10%
Among those who support joining the eurozone,
the majority believe (68%) that it should not be done in a
hurry and 28% say it should be done as soon as possible.
Economists, on the whole, agree that Poland and
the country's economy will benefit from joining the
eurozone, despite some necessary costs involved. This
view is shared by nearly half of respondents (49%) and
29% expect negative consequences as a result of joining
the eurozone. The fears concerning negative effects that
euro introduction could possibly have on Polish economy
are significantly lower in comparison to November 2008.
Opinions about the impact of euro introduction on Polish
entrepreneurs are almost parallel to opinions about the
impact of this process on Polish economy (51% say
entrepreneurs will benefit from entering the eurozone and
27% oppose this view).
There is much uncertainty about the effect the
introduction of the euro will have on debtors. Only
slightly more than a quarter (27%) think that people who
took a loan will benefit from joining the eurozone.
However, more respondents (36%) are convinced about
the opposite. Nearly two fifths of respondents (37%) do
not hold an opinion about this subject.
The respondents were most unanimous about the
effects that euro introduction will have for people
travelling abroad. Over two thirds of Poles (70%) think
that the common European currency would be beneficial
for these people and only one in nine (11%) claim the
opposite.
DO YOU THINK THAT INTRODUCING THE EURO IN POLAND
WILL BE BENEFICIAL OR DETRIMENTAL FOR:
Polish
entrepreneurs
XI 2008
13%
39%
IV 2010
13%
38%
XI 2008
13%
IV 2010
13%
21%
8%
19%
32%
19%
8%
27%
22%
11%
17%
Polish economy
people taking
6%
loans in banks IV 2010
people travelling IV 2010
abroad
36%
21%
22%
27%
22%
7%
9%
48%
Definitely
beneficial
Rather
beneficial
Rather
detrimental
22%
37%
9% 2%
2% 19%
Definitely
detrimental
Don't
know
The effects that euro introduction might have for
an average Pole are seen in a relatively unfavourable
light. Nearly half of respondents (46%) believe that for a
typical Pole replacing the zloty with the euro would be
disadvantageous and 30% expect the introduction would
benefit them and other people like them. It is worth
noticing that between November 2008 and April 2010
fears concerning the effects that joining the eurozone
might have for an average Pole decreased significantly.
DO YOU THINK THAT INTRODUCING THE EURO IN POLAND
WILL BE BENEFICIAL OR DETRIMENTAL
FOR AN AVERAGE POLE?
average
Pole
XI 2008 5%
IV 2010 7%
20%
31%
23%
Definitely
beneficial
Rather
beneficial
30%
14%
32%
14%
24%
Rather
detrimental
Definitely
detrimental
Don't
know
It is highly probable that the opinions about
negative effects of joining the eurozone are the
consequence of a widely held belief (83%) that the
introduction would mean higher prices for most goods
and services.
DO YOU THINK THAT AFTER INTRODUCING THE EURO
IN POLAND THE PRICES OF MOST OF THE BASIC GOODS
AND SERVICES WILL:
XI 2008
84%
IV 2010
83%
rise
fall
stay the same
2%2% 8% 6%
2% 9%
6%
2%
Don't know
More information about this topic can be found in CBOS report in
Polish: "Support, effects and knowledge about the introduction of the
euro in Poland", June 2010. Fieldwork for national sample: April
2010, N=1056. The random address sample is representative for adult
population of Poland.
INTERNET ABUSE
Similarly to last year, two thirds of respondents
(66%) have a personal computer in their households. In
comparison to 2009 the number of people with Internet
access grew only slightly - up to 59% (a 3 point increase).
In both cases, the growth in computer ownership or
Internet access is not dynamic any longer.
4
POLISH PUBLIC OPINION
IN YOUR OWN OPINION, DO YOU THINK THAT
THE AMOUNT OF TIME YOU SPEND ONLINE IS:
THE PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS OWNING:
80%
70%
70%
60%
71%
a personal computer
50%
40%
30%
Internet access
20%
20%
9%
10%
9%
19%
0%
III ‘02
II ‘04
III ‘05
III ‘06
III ‘07
III ‘08
VI ‘09
IV ‘10
This year's survey shows that more than a half of
adult Poles (51%) use the Internet - it is a 3 point rise in
comparison to last year.
DO YOU USE THE INTERNET (INTERNET WEBSITES, E-MAIL,
INSTANT MESSENGERS, ETC.) AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK?
The percentage of affirmative answers.
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
not sufficient
appropriate
excessive
VI 2008 (N=501)
1%
1%
Don't know
IV 2010 (N=542)
Half of respondents (49%) admit they were
online for more than they intended and 15% say it
happened several times. The Internet was the reason for
one in three respondents (34%) to neglect some of their
duties. Slightly fewer people (30%) heard a remark that
they spend too much time online. Only few declare (8%)
that they postponed a meeting with family or friends in
order to use the Internet.
30%
HAVE YOU EVER:
20%
(%)
10%
0%
III ‘02
II ‘04
III ‘05
III ‘06
III ‘07
III ‘08
VI ‘09
IV ‘10
The majority of Internet users (71%) state that
they spend an appropriate amount of time on the Internet.
However, nearly one in five (19%) admit they are online
too much time. Few declare (9%) they do not spend
enough time on the Internet. In comparison to 2008
survey the percentage of people convinced they spend too
much time online grew by 10 points and the number of
people who feel the opposite fell by 11 points.
neglected some of your duties
8
23
3
66
in order to use the Internet
spent online more time than
30
4
51
you intended 15
postponed a meeting with friends
2 42
92
in order to use the Internet
heard a remark that you spend
10
16
4
70
online too much time
Yes, several
Yes, a couple
Yes, once
times
of times
No
More information about this topic can be found in CBOS report in Polish:
"Computer and Internet use", June 2010. Fieldwork for national sample:
April 2010, N=1056. The random address sample is representative for adult
population of Poland.
In addition to the reports referred to above, the following have been published recently (in Polish):
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Opinions About Polish Authorities and Political Class After Smolensk Air Disaster
Young Generation About Solidarity Movement
Before Presidential Election - Evaluation of Candidates' Chances and Voters' Likes and Dislikes
Opinions About Extra Saving for Retirement
Poland and Poles After Smolensk Air Disaster
Subjective Safety and Crime Risk
Opinions About President Lech Kaczyński
Preferences in Presidential Election
Party Preferences in June
Opinions About Public Institutions
Attitude to Government in June
"First Solidarity" Experience
Social Moods Before Presidential Election
Martial Law and Underground "Solidarity" Experience
Trust in Politicians Before Presidential Election
Aid for Flood Victims and Fighting Flood Effects
Solidarity Movement and Transformation in Poland and other Eastern Bloc Countries
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