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Curated

Afrobarometer Round 4: The Quality of Democracy and Governance in South Africa, 2008 (ICPSR 34011)

Released/updated on: 2012-08-06
Geographic coverage: Africa, South Africa, Global, Sub-Saharan Africa
Time period: 2008-10-01--2008-11-30
The Afrobarometer project was designed to collect and disseminate information regarding Africans' views on democracy, governance, economic reform, civil society, and quality of life. This particular survey was concerned with the attitudes and opinions of the citizens of South Africa. Respondents in a face-to-face interview were asked to rate their president and the president's administration in overall performance, to state the most important issues facing their nation, and to evaluate the effectiveness of certain continental and international institutions. Opinions were gathered on the role of the government in improving the economy, whether corruption existed in local and national government, whether government officials were responsive to problems of the general population, and whether local government officials, the police, the courts, the overall criminal justice system, the National Electoral Commission, and the government broadcasting service could be trusted. Respondents were polled on their knowledge of the government, including the identification of government officials, their level of personal involvement in political, governmental, and community affairs, their participation in national elections, and the inclusiveness of the government. Economic questions addressed the past, present, and future of the country's and the respondents' economic conditions, and respondents' living conditions. Additional topics included Apartheid, the former Thabo Mbeki government, and political party finance. Background variables include age, gender, ethnicity, education, religious affiliation and participation, political party affiliation, language spoken most at home, whether the respondent was the head of household, current and past employment status, whether a close friend or relative had died from AIDS, and language used in interview. In addition, the interviewer's gender, race, and education level is provided.
Curated

The Justice of Land in a Land of Injustice, 2004 (ICPSR 30102)

Released/updated on: 2011-11-29
Geographic coverage: Africa, South Africa, Global
Time period: 2004-02-11--2004-10-07
The Justice of Land in a Land of Injustice study was conducted in South Africa. This study examined the lingering effects of Apartheid, with a focus on land distribution. Respondents were asked about their media usage, their interest in politics, whether they discussed politics with others, the general economic situation in South Africa, and their family's standard of living. They were then asked about their relationships with other people, including whether they got along with those with differing opinions, viewpoints, and values. Respondents were also asked about property rights. Questions included whether the land rights of the wealthy should be reduced, if community rights were more important than individual rights, if only property owners should be allowed to vote, if people had a right to land they had lived on for a long time despite not owning it, whether people should receive compensation if their land should be taken away for land reform, the possible consequences of taking away land rights, if land should be taken away from certain groups only, or whether all land right claims should be denied. Respondents were queried about civil rights and freedoms. Questions included how important rights such as free speech, the right to protest, and the right to land ownership were to them. They were also asked whether it was acceptable for the police to search houses without permission in order to fight crime and if sometimes it would be necessary to ignore the law to solve problems. Respondents were then asked to list the groups they do and do not identify with, and how they felt about being a member of a group. They were asked to self-categorize into groups and then queried about their interactions and relations with other groups. They were asked how much contact they had with other groups and how many of their "true" friends were members of different groups. Respondents were also asked how well they understood the customs of other groups, if they were uncomfortable being around or sharing the same political party with a group, and if South Africa would be better off if other groups were not present. Next, respondents were asked about Apartheid. Questions included how many Black people were harmed by Apartheid, if large companies both inside and outside of South Africa were to blame for the harm done, and whether these companies should be forced to pay for the harm they caused under Apartheid. Additionally, they were queried about their life under Apartheid compared to their current life, including past experiences such as having to use a pass to move around, and being assaulted by the police. Respondents were also asked about their knowledge of government organizations including the South African Constitutional Court and Parliament, and their satisfaction with these organizations. They were then asked how important certain issues were to them such as drugs, unemployment, and racial reconciliation. Additionally, they were asked about the election of leaders, and whether multi-party elections were effective ways to choose those leaders. Respondents were also asked about the goods they owned and their financial assets. The survey also included several vignettes with scenarios of land disputes, which were read to the respondents. They were then asked their opinions of the possible outcomes of these vignettes. Demographic information included age, year of birth, highest education level completed, language spoken mostly at home, attendance at places of religious worship, religion, employment status, household composition, how long they have lived in their current community, whether that community had a Traditional Leader, ownership of goods, membership in organizations, whether someone close has died of AIDS, has AIDS, or are HIV positive, and province, size, and metropolitan area of residence. Finally, interviewer attributes and observations are included.
Curated

ABC News/Washington Post Poll, January 1985 (ICPSR 8516)

Released/updated on: 2009-11-18
Geographic coverage: United States
Time period: 1985-01-01--1985-01-31
This poll, conducted January 11-16, 1985, is part of a continuing series of monthly surveys that solicit public opinion on the presidency and on a range of other political and social issues. Respondents were asked to rate Reagan's performance as president over the past four years and to describe their expectations for his performance in his second term in office. Respondents also were asked a series of questions relating to the nation's economy, their personal financial situation and expectations, and whether they trusted the Democrats or Republicans to do a better job in coping with the nation's problems. A series of questions asked about the federal budget deficit and ways to reduce it, federal income tax system and the Treasury Department's tax reform proposal. Additional subjects addressed support for nuclear power, the apartheid protests in South Africa, the New York City subway shooting, and gun ownership. Demographic variables include sex, age, race, education level, marital status, religious preference, voter registration status and participation history, political party affiliation, political philosophy, type of residential area (e.g., urban or rural), household income, the number of household members over the age of 18, whether respondents considered themselves to be middle or working class, and whether any member of the household was a veteran, a labor union member, or employed by the government.
Curated

ABC News/Washington Post Poll, September 1985 (ICPSR 8589)

Released/updated on: 2008-08-21
Geographic coverage: United States
Time period: 1985-09-01--1985-09-30
In this survey respondents were asked a series of questions related to Reagan's performance as president, his relationship with Congress, South Africa, apartheid, and the trade deficit. Respondents' attitudes toward various health problems in the United States were also examined, with questions focusing on AIDS, cigarette smoking, and osteoporosis. Demographic characteristics also were recorded.
Curated

ABC News/Washington Post Poll, May-June 1985 (ICPSR 8568)

Released/updated on: 2008-05-15
Geographic coverage: United States
Time period: 1985-05-01--1985-06-30
This survey focuses on an assessment of the Reagan administration and other topics of current interest. Respondents were asked for their opinions on the Reagan administration, foreign affairs, Central America, the nation's economy, the federal budget deficit, budget cuts, Nicaragua, and apartheid. Other topics covered in greater detail include an evaluation of the United States Congress, the federal income tax system and proposed changes of it, and the hijacking of a TWA plane by Arab terrorists. Demographic characteristics also are included.
Curated

Survey of Truth and Reconciliation in South Africa, 2000-2001 (ICPSR 4030)

Released/updated on: 2005-12-15
Geographic coverage: South Africa, Global
Time period: 2000-01-01--2001-12-31
The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between truth acceptance and reconciliation among South Africans during and since the political transition from Apartheid to democracy. The study investigated the extent to which South Africans participated in the truth as promulgated by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the degree to which they were "reconciled." The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was based on the Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act of 1995. The TRC investigated past gross human rights violations and granted amnesty to individuals in exchange for full and public disclosure of information related to these crimes. The hypothesis that truth acceptance leads to reconciliation was tested in this research. Data were collected through a rigorous and systematic survey of South Africans. Nearly all relevant segments of the South African population were included in the sample, as well as representative subsamples of at least 250 respondents of most major racial/ethnic/linguistic groups. Questions about the TRC investigated respondent awareness, knowledge, and approval of the activities of the TRC. Respondents were asked for their opinions on the effectiveness of the TRC in its efforts to provide a true and unbiased account of South Africa's history and in awarding compensation to those who suffered abuses under the Apartheid regime. Other questions about the TRC asked respondents how important it was to find out the truth about the past and achieve racial reconciliation. Demographic variables include age, marital status, education level, and employment status.
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