ISSP 2016: Role of Government V, Lithuania, June - August 2016

The purpose of the study: to analyse Lithuanian residents opinion about government in general and to find out what functions implementation should be government's responsibility.
Major investigated questions: respondents were asked if people should obey the law without exception, or are there exceptional occasions on which people should follow their consciences even if it means breaking the law. It was questioned if it should be allowed to organize public meeting or protest matches and demonstrations when protesting against the government if people strongly oppose to government's actions. Respondents attitude towards right to hold public meeting or publish books to express their views of people who wants to overthrow the government by revolution was analysed. A separate question block for government possibilities in taking various actions in economic field (for example government financing of projects to create new jobs, support for declining industries to protect jobs, etc.). It was questioned if respondents would like higher or lower spendings in various government spending areas. Government's responsibility limits were analysed, for example in providing jobs for everyone who wants to work, in reducing income differences between the rich and the poor, in giving financial help to university students from low-income families, in promoting equality between men and women, etc. It was questioned what should be the government's role in providing health care for the sick, caring for older people and school education for children. After list of people and organizations (for example media, trade unions, business, banks and industry, etc.) was presented, respondents were asked what has the most and the second most influence on the actions of the Lithuania government. Respondents opinion about what affects politics in Lithuania was analysed. When analysing opinions about civil liberties and public security, respondents were asked if Lithuania's government should keep people under video surveillance in public areas and monitor e-mails and any other information exchanged on the Internet. It was questioned if all government information should be publicly available, even if this means a risk to public security. Respondents were asked if in the name of national security government should have a right to collect information about anyone living in Lithuania without their knowledge and collect information about anyone living in other countries without their knowledge. Limits of government actions when suspecting a terrorist act were assessed. Respondents were asked how personally interested they are in politics. Personal political competence and possible affect to government decisions was assessed. Respondents opinion about efforts of members of the Seimas to comply with promises given during elections was analysed. It was questioned about fairness of taxes in Lithuania for those with high, middle and low income. Activity of tax authorities in Lithuania when making sure people pay their taxes and treating everyone in accordance with the law, regardless of their contacts or position in society was assessed. Respondents attitude towards behaviour of major private companies in Lithuania, i. e. how often they comply with laws and regulations, and if they are trying to avoid paying taxes, was analysed. A few questions about corruption of Lithuania's politicians and public officials were asked. At the end of the survey, respondents were asked how successful the government in Lithuania is in providing health care for the sick, providing a decent standard of living for the old and dealing with threats to Lithuania's security.
Socio-demographic characteristics: gender, age, level of education, membership in organizations, religion, marital status, nationality, political views, political participation, size of household, respondent's average personal income, place of residence, working situation of the respondent and of his/her spouse or partner.