A comparative study by the Levada Center and the Chicago Council on Global Affairs shows that Russians are more likely than Americans to advocate their countries’ active participation in world affairs. The majority of respondents in both countries call military superiority the most effective approach to achieving foreign policy goals, and two-thirds of respondents said it was effective to provide financial assistance to other countries and impose tariffs on imports of goods from unfriendly countries. The perception of the country’s power and influence in the world differs between residents of the United States and Russia.: Americans often believe that economic power is more important than military power. While among Russians, opinions are equally divided.

Russians are more likely than Americans to advocate a more active policy of their country in the international arena. Thus, the majority of respondents in Russia (70%) believe that it would be better for the country’s future if it took an active part in world affairs, and three out of ten respondents think it would be better not to interfere in them. There is no single opinion among Americans on this issue, almost equal shares of respondents hold different positions: 56% say that America should actively participate in world affairs, while 43% of respondents say the opposite.

There are more supporters of a more active foreign policy among Russians in the following groups: older respondents (78% among those aged 55 and older), more affluent respondents (73% among those who can afford durable goods), respondents with higher education (73%), those who believe that things in the country are going in the right direction (75%), those who approve of V. Putin’s performance as president (73%), and those who believe that military action should be continued (80%). Putin’s activity as president (73%), those who support the actions of the Russian armed forces in Ukraine (76%), and those who believe that it is necessary to continue military operations (80%).

There are more supporters of non-interference in world affairs among Russians in the following groups: young people under 24 (42%), less well-off respondents (41% among those who barely have enough to eat), respondents with secondary education and below (38%), those who believe that things are going wrong in the country. ways (45%), those who disapprove of the activities of the current president (46%), those who do not support the actions of the Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine (53%), those who believe that peace negotiations should begin (37%).

The most effective approach to achieve foreign policy goals is considered by the respondents from Russia and America to be military superiority – 92% (69% – very effective and 23% – somewhat effective) and 84% (48% – very effective and 36% – somewhat effective), respectively. Two thirds of the respondents also speak about the effectiveness of providing financial assistance to other countries (Russians – 64%, Americans – 63%) and setting tariffs on imports of goods from unfriendly countries (Russians – 68%, Americans – 64%).

The perception of the country’s overall power and influence in the world differs between residents of the United States and Russia. Americans are more likely to believe that economic power (73%) is more important than military power (23%). While opinions are divided among Russians: 55% of respondents say that military power is important, 45% – economic.

Among Russians, the share of those who believe that economic power is more important in determining the country’s influence in the world is higher among young people under 24 (54%), rural residents (49%), those who believe that things in the country are going in the wrong direction (51%), those who disapprove of V. Putin’s activity as president (56%), those who trust YouTube channels as a source of information (65%). Putin’s activity as president (56%), those who trust YouTube channels as a source of information (65%), those who do not support the actions of Russian armed forces in Ukraine (59%), those who believe that peace negotiations should be started (49%).

Among Russians, the share of those who believe that world influence is determined more by military power is higher among the representatives of older age (59% among respondents aged 55 and older), residents of Moscow (64%), those who believe that things in the country are going in the right direction (57%), those who approve of V. Putin’s activity as president (58%), those who trust television as a source of information (60%), those who support the actions of the Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine (59%), and those who believe that the Russian military should continue to act as a source of information. Putin’s performance as president (58%), those who trust television as a source of information (60%), those who support the actions of the Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine (59%), those who believe that military actions should be continued (62%).