This book is a comprehensive account of trends in Russian public opinion over the period 1988-94. Analysing data from Russian polling organizations, it covers the development of a professional polling industry and looks at changing popular moods, the depth of democratic values, attitudes towards political institutions, the attempt to introduce a free market economy and views about the loss of empire. Concluding sections consider attitudinal differences between social groups, and the impact of public opinion on postcommunist politics.