In October 2011, Saar Poll, a company that specialises in social studies and market research, carried out a public opinion poll on national defence. A total of 1,206 residents of Estonia aged between 15 and 74 years were interviewed for the survey that was commissioned by the Ministry of Defence. Earlier public polls have been conducted twice a year over a period of ten years.
As a new aspect, this year’s poll included mapping of the general opinion of residents towards the Estonian state.The poll showed that 86% of residents have been proud of the Estonian state while 89% of respondents have been disappointed. The feeling of pride was somewhat less frequent than the sense of disappointment: 23% of the respondents have been proud of Estonia constantly or fairly frequently while 40% of Estonian people say they have been disappointed in the state. 63% said they have been proud over Estonia’s membership in the European Union while 57% said the same about NATO. 19% of respondents said they were constantly or frequently proud of EU membership and 23% were constantly or frequently proud of Estonia's membership in NATO. Estonians are notably more positive over the Estonian state and Estonia’s NATO membership than non-Estonians.
Of the ten institutions whose support was gauged in the poll, the highest support was registered for the Rescue Service (supported by 92% of Estonian population aged between 15 and 74 years). The Rescue Service is followed by the police (78%), Defence Forces (76%), Defence League (67%) and the President (64%). In comparison with the polls conducted in August, one should point out that public confidence in institutions has fallen. Generally, Estonians had more trust in institutions (except in the European Union) than non-Estonians.
Estonian population continues to be very supporting towards military service. As many as 92% of the population say that military service is necessary for young men while 58% say that it is definitely necessary (this percentage was 66% among Estonians and 39% among non-Estonians). By age, the least supportive in this issue were young people (aged between 15 and 29) among whom 85% said that the military service was necessary for young men. Young people who have had a personal contact with Defence Forces see a greater need for serving in the military than the rest of the people their age.
The public still regards Estonia’s NATO membership as the country’s main security guarantee (65% of the respondents named it as one of the most important factors). For the public, other significant factors for safeguarding security include membership in the European Union (31%), Estonian-Russian cooperation and good-neighbourly relations (30%) and the development of Estonia’s independent defence capability (30%). Similarly with earlier results, Estonians emphasise, in particular, NATO membership (77% of Estonians and 38% of non-Estonians), while for non-Estonians the main security guarantee is Estonian-Russian cooperation and good-neighbourly relations with Russia (50% of non-Estonians and 22% of Estonians).
The readiness of the population to personally participate in defence activities is still lower than the support for military defence activities on the national level. 73% of the respondents say that they consider military resistance to an attack of a foreign country absolutely or largely necessary while 54% of the population are ready to take part in the defence activities according to their capacities and skills (63% in August). The readiness of non-Estonians to participate in defence activities continues to be notably lower than for Estonians (37% vs. 62%).
In choosing between the current system of general conscription based on defence service and between the paid army, about two-thirds of the population (63%) preferred the current system. One in every four residents (25%) was in support of transition to a paid army. Estonians were mainly in favour of general service in Defence Forces (73%), while non-Estonians were largely divided on the matter.
One in every two Estonian residents (52%) says that units of Estonian Defence Forces should take part in international military operations, if possible. While among Estonians, the general opinion was favourable towards participation in foreign missions, most non-Estonians saw no need for this (60% vs. 35%). As in previous polls, participation in international operations was considered necessary mainly for two reasons: Participation provides our servicemen the necessary real-life battle experience and ensures that in case of possible dangers, NATO would assist Estonia.
The public image of the Afghanistan mission is relatively varied and at times controversial. People are clearly supportive towards the professionalism of Estonian servicemen, but they are also concerned over the safety of our servicemen and are not entirely certain that the Afghanistan mission is necessary and successful. Estonians are notably more supportive towards participation in the Afghanistan mission and in the Afghanistan operation than non-Estonians are.
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