The Center for the Study of Public Opinion “Ijtimoiy Fikr” has come up with a sociological survey entitled “Uzbekistan is our common home”.
Its results indicate that residents of the country consider peace and stability, inter-ethnic and civil accord in the society as Uzbekistan’s most valuable asset and achievement reached during the years of independence. The absolute majority (99.6%) of Uzbekistanis fully share this opinion.
The state policy, care about rank and file people, stability in the economic and socio-political spheres, as well as high moral qualities of the Uzbek people remain herewith the foundation of inter-ethnic and civil harmony.
Fig.1. Distribution of respondents answering the question, “Do you agree with the fact that the most valuable asset of independence of Uzbekistan is peace and stability, inter-ethnic and civil consent in our common home?” %
The comparative analysis of the survey results conducted in recent years indicate that the number of Uzbekistanis, convinced that the national policy of the first President of the country Islam Karimov is the main factor of inter-ethnic and civil harmony in the country, remains consistently high”
Fig.2. Distribution of respondents answering the question on the foundation of inter-ethnic and civil harmony in Uzbekistan, %
There is a dominating view among the population that Uzbekistan is their beloved Motherland. Social views of the Republic’s residents about their country include its positive image and a strong feeling of connection with the historical roots of the people.
The respondents highly evaluated respect for the citizens’ rights and freedoms, enshrined in the Constitution. Thus, 97.9% of opinion poll participants pointed out to the ‘full’ or ‘sufficient’ degree of respect for the citizens’ rights and freedoms irrespective of their national or religious belonging.
The absolute majority (89.5%) of the population feel proud at comprehension of being a citizen of Uzbekistan. The number of respondents sharing this opinion keeps growing up with every passing year. These feelings are experienced by Slavs, Turkmen, Tajiks, Koreans and representatives of other nationalities. This confirms the high degree of the Republic inhabitants’ sense of citizenship and patriotism.
Monitoring the public opinion provides an opportunity to draw up a conclusion on the domination of the idea among Uzbeks that bоth nationality and citizenship are equally important for them. The number of respondents who adhere to this view has increased significantly in comparison with 2001 – by 25.4%.
Fig.3. Distribution of respondents answering the question, “What is more important for you: ethnicity or citizenship”, %
Pronounced belief in the importance of bоth national and civic identity for self-identification of a person is thereby characteristic of Uzbekistanis.
The sociological survey demonstrated that the absolute majority of respondents are fluent in the Uzbek language. And it serves as a consolidating factor, which helps to shape out positive value orientations for people. In this particular case, there is a positive dynamics in the survey data – an ever-growing number of citizens pointing out to a ‘very good’ knowledge of the state language, while the number of those who do not know the language keeps shrinking. It is important to note that there is a strong desire to learn the language among those who do not speak it yet.
The absolute majority of Uzbekistanis assess inter-ethnic relations in the country as ‘good’ and ‘very good’ (97.3%). Respondents noted no quarrels and conflicts on ethnic or violation of human rights on national grounds.
The survey revealed positive dynamics in inter-ethnic harmony. From 2006 till 2016 Uzbekistanis have been increasingly emphasizing the growing inter-ethnic accord (from 63.7 up to 95.4%) and less often – absence of change in the inter-ethnic sphere (from 22.7% down to 2.2%).
Fig. 4. Respondents’ assessment of inter-ethnic relations’ dynamics, %
The survey indicated that the wise ethnicity policy of the country’s leadership comes out as the major factor in ensuring sustainable inter-ethnic relations. This view is maintained by the majority of Uzbekistanis (91.8%).
The incidence of domestic nationalism is low in our society. The majority of respondents have not faced its manifestations.
The public opinion is dominated by an idea of absence of preconditions for any quarrels and disputes on nationalistic grounds. Thus, the vast majority (83.9%) of respondents believe that quarrels do not arise between representatives of different nationalities.
The survey revealed no adverse signs of discrimination in the country on the grounds of national identity. For example, the absolute majority of respondents noted the absence of any difficulties or inconveniences related to their nationality (92.1%).
Stability of socio-political situation in the Republic is confirmed by the population’s migration sentiments. The overwhelming majority of citizens (99.1%) are not willing to relocate to other countries for permanent residence.
The population of the country consider further consolidation of peace and stability, inter-ethnic and civil accord in the Republic, raising the level and quality of life, bridling international terrorism, preservation of the Uzbek people’s traditions and rejuvenation of its historical heritage, spiritual and moral advancement of the society and improving the system of social protection of population to be the most important priorities at this stage of the country’s development.
Residents of the Republic are positively disposed with respect to the future of inter-ethnic relations. The population is convinced that stability in inter-ethnic sphere will be maintained in the future.
People forecast further strengthening of the state and consolidation of all national communities into one single and united nation of Uzbekistan.
Based on materials of the “Ijtimoiy Fikr” Center
