Russian public opinion and the two Chechen wars, 1994-1996 and 1999-2002 : formation and evolution

• Main Author: Vaughn, J. C.
• Published: University College London (University of London) 2007
• Subjects: 947.086
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.644409

This thesis is to contribute to academic knowledge concerning Russian public opinion and the two wars in Chechnya, focusing on differences in perception of each war within the coinciding Russian political climate. This thesis adds on to relevant academic literature pertaining to this subject in several ways, and represents a necessary approach on a topic in which the state of Russia's democracy can be tested, particularly as to what the status is of the Russian state as a democratic state or alternatively an authoritarian state. Frequently, as will be detailed, the subject of Russian public opinion on the Chechen wars will have been mentioned, and even explored in the context of academic writings. However, the author finds it necessary to put exactly this issue on a pedestal and observe how the very nature and status of Russian public opinion concerning the Chechen war issue reflects on the Russian regime, if indeed at all. There are a great many facets to a study of this topic. Firstly (chapter one), in the context of a detailed literature review, finding and elaborating on an understanding of Russian public opinion is necessary in the earliest instance. Secondly (chapter two), a comparative examination of Russian public opinion and its contending views on each of the two wars must be scrutinized.