Download the graphic presentation: Chapter 1 & 2. INSCOP-STG-GMF Survey 2022
The survey “Public distrust: West vs. East, the rise of the nationalism in the era of disinformation and fake news” 4th Edition was conducted by INSCOP Research in partnership with Verifield. The study was commissioned by the STRATEGIC Thinking think tank (www.strategicthinking.ro) as part of a research project supported by The German Marshall Fund of the United States and financed by the Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation via the True Story Project.
Chapter 1: Military security
The conflict in Ukraine, NATO and Romania’s defense
Asked whether NATO will defend Romania or not, in the context of the increasing risk of war in Ukraine, 70.3% of Romanians answered affirmatively, while 20.3% answered negatively, while 9.4% didn’t know or didn’t answer.
NATO membership
Regarding NATO membership, 76.2% of respondents believe that Romania shouldn’t exit the North Atlantic Alliance, while 18.7% support the contrary. The weight of non-response is 5.1%.
U.S. military bases
74.7% of those interviewed (compared to 68.1% – September 2021, 73.8% – June 2021, and 75.4% in March 2021) express their agreement with the statement “the existence of US military bases in Romania would help defend Romania in case of foreign aggression,” 20.6% express their disapproval (compared to 24.9% – September 2021, 20.23% in June 2021, and 20% in March 2021), and 4.7% don’t know or wouldn’t answer the question.
EU Army
72.6% of respondents consider that the European Union should establish its own army to defend member-states, 20.8% believe the contrary, and 6.5% don’t know or wouldn’t answer.
Chapter 2: West vs. East. Confidence in countries and international leaders
Romania’s direction – West or East?
In the opinion of 77% of those interviewed, the West (meaning the EU, USA, NATO) is the direction towards which Romania should be heading from the point of view of political and military alliances. 10.4% believe that Romania should head towards the East (meaning Russia, China). The weight of non-response is 12.6%.
The future of Europe / the West
In the future, Europe and the West will be more powerful in the opinion of 63.9% of responders, while 27% believe the opposite, while 9.1% don’t know or won’t answer.
Trust in countries and international organizations
Of the countries and organizations enumerated, Romanians have the highest level of trust in NATO (60.6% over 49.4% – in March 2021); 55.9% of Romanians have very high and high trust in the European Union (compared to 51.6% – in March 2021) and 51.8% have high and very high confidence in Germany (over 57.6% – in March 2021). Of those interviewed, 50% state that they have high or very high confidence in the United States of America (over 47.2% – in March 2021). France benefits from high and very high trust from 38.5% of the responders. Trust in Russia and China is situated under 20%. Thus, 18% of Romanians state that they trust Russia (compared to 16% – in March 2021) and 17.2% in China (compared to 19% – in March 2021).
Trust in foreign leaders
34.4% of those interviewed stated that they have high and very high confidence in the President of the United States of America, Joe Biden, 33.1% in the President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, 24.8% in the French President, Emanuel Macron, 23.3% in Russian President Vladimir Putin, and 19.3% in the Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban.
Methodology
The survey “Public distrust: West vs. East, the rise of the nationalism in the era of disinformation and fake news” 4th Edition was conducted by INSCOP Research in partnership with Verifield. The study was commissioned by the STRATEGIC Thinking think tank (www.strategicthinking.ro) as part of a research project supported by The German Marshall Fund of the United States and financed by the Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation via the True Story Project.
The data was collected by between 11 – 18 January 2022, using the surveying technique CATI (Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing). The multi-stratified sample of 1162 respondents is representative for significant socio-demographic categories (gender, age, occupation) for the adult population of Romania, aged 18 and over. The maximum acceptable standard error was ± 2.9% at a 95% confidence level.
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STRATEGIC THINKING GROUP is an avant-garde think tank that aims to provide an active civic platform dedicated to encouraging reflection and strategic thinking through in-depth analyzes, studies and research. STRATEGIC THINKING GROUP supports public debates based on rigorous use of scientific data and structured assessments in order to make solid contributions for development and progress in relevant fields in the public and private sectors.
TRUE STORY PROJECT – True Story Project (www.truestoryproject.ro) is a source of verified and relevant news and analysis about Romania and the Black Sea region in the international geopolitical context. TSP aims to provide fact-based information, to promote the values of the rule of law and the market economy and to stimulate critical thinking.
Download the graphic presentation: Chapter 1 & 2. INSCOP-STG-GMF Survey 2022