ISSP 2014: Citizenship II, Lithuania, March - April 2015

The purpose of the study: to analyse Lithuanian residents social and political activity and attitude towards relations between citizen and state.
Major investigated questions: after a list with different possible activities was presented, respondents were asked to evaluate how important it is to vote in elections, never try to evade taxes and always obey laws and regulations of the country. Further, respondents were asked to evaluate how important it is to always keep a watch on the actions of government, be active in social and political associations and try to understand arguments of people with different opinions in order to be a good citizen. Also, respondents were asked how important it is to choose products for political, ethical or environmental reasons, even if they cost a bit more, help people in Lithuania and in the rest of the world who are living worse than interviewed Lithuanian residents. It was questioned if religious extremists, people who want to overthrow the government by force and people prejudiced against any racial or ethnic group should be allowed to hold public meetings. After a list with different forms of political and social actions was presented (for example, signing of a petition, participation in demonstration, political meeting or rally, etc.), respondents were asked whether they done some of those thing in the past year or in a more distant past, or they have not done it but might do it or have not done it and would never do it. Further, respondents were asked how often they use the media, including television, newspapers, radio and the internet, to get political news or information. It was analysed on average, with how many people interviewed Lithuanian residents communicate face-to-face, by telephone, by mail or on the internet in a typical week day, including people they live with. Belonging to and activity in different kinds of groups or associations was assessed. Next question block was devoted to analyse opinion about people's rights significance in a democracy. Respondents evaluated if opinion of people like them about what government does matters and if government cares about what people like respondents think. It was analysed if respondents have a pretty good understanding of the important political issues for Lithuania and if most people in our country are better informed about politics and government than respondents. Respondents were asked to imagine that a law is being considered by the Seimas that appears to be unjust or harmful. Respondents then were asked how likely, in such case it is that respondent, acting alone or together with other state residents, would be able to try to do something about it. It was questioned how likely is it that the Seimas would give serious attention to their demands if respondents would do something. Further, respondents were asked how they personally are interested in politics and what are their position in left and right scale. It was questioned if most of the time we can trust that people in government do what is best and if most politicians are in politics only for their personal benefit. It was analysed how often interviewed Lithuanian residents discuss politics when they get together with friends, relatives or fellow workers. It was questioned how often do respondents try to persuade their friends, relatives or fellow workers to share their views when respondents have a strong opinion about politics. Two questions were dedicated to assess political parties role in elections. Respondents were asked if referendum is a good way to solve important political questions. Respondents were asked if the last national elections in Lithuania were honest regarding the counting and reporting of the votes and if the last national elections were fair regarding the opportunities of the candidates and parties to campaign. It was questioned how civil service in Lithuania is committed to serve people and how corruption is widespread there. Respondents were asked how democracy works in Lithuania today, how it worked 10 years ago and how it will work after 10 years. At the end it was analysed how often respondents read political news in newspaper, watch political news on television, listen to political news on a radio and use the internet to get political news or information.
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.