Survey Topics

Borrowing from the interview schedule used in other Democracy Barometer surveys, the Arab Barometer team designed a survey instrument that allows Arab public opinion to be compared to public opinion in other world regions.  In addition, however, paying close attention to the nuances and particularities of the Arab world, the Arab Barometer team also included many items dealing with the specific experience, culture, religion, and political climate of the Arab world.  Prominent among the attitudinal and behavioral dimensions explored are the following:

• Support for democratic institutions;
• Evaluation of democracy in relation to other models of governance, including Islamist and Arab nationalist;
• Levels and forms of political and civic participation;
• Participant citizenship and dimensions of political culture, including tolerance, political trust, political interest and political efficacy;
• Perceptions of state and regime performance and legitimacy;
• Conceptions and interpretations of Islam;
• The preferred relationship between religion and politics
• Religiosity and personal involvement in religious affairs
• Attitudes toward terrorism and political violence
• Attitudes towards Middle East International relations

Arab Barometer Questionnaire