| |  | Index | Description | Methodology of constructing the ISN DescriptionLevada-Centre continues the study of the trends in social sentiment in Russia based on the integrated SOCIAL SENTIMENT INDEX (ISN), which was launched in the mid-nineties by VCIOM. The Social Sentiment Index (ISN) is a synthesized index of trends in the society’s mass sentiment, which reflects the impact of mass consciousness on the development of the country. The ISN is based on regular public opinion surveys conducted in Russia. Public opinion surveys conducted in Russia show that there is a close correlation of political, economic and social evaluations with the opinions of people, which form a common vector of public sentiment. The ISN indicates to what extent the subjective factor reflecting the impact of the aggregate of individual preferences and attitudes influences the development of the society overall, the actual political and economic behaviour of the population. An important advantage of the ISN is its prognostic possibilities. The calculations demonstrate that changes in the people’s sentiments over several months indicate possible changes in the economic development of the country. The synthesized character of the ISN and, most important, the trends of its development show how favourable the current social situation is for further development of the country. |  |
