BY THE NUMBERS

Is Josef Stalin making a comeback among Russia’s youth? Researchers Sarah Mendelson and Theodore Gerber recently wrote that many young Russians “do not view Stalin -- a man responsible for millions of deaths and enormous suffering -- with the revulsion he deserves.” Here is what their poll of Russians ages 16 to 29 found (excludes those who answered “hard to say”):

Stalin was a wise leader.

Agree: 51%

Disagree: 39%

Stalin was a cruel tyrant.

Agree: 43%

Disagree: 47%

Stalin was directly responsible for the imprisonment, torture and execution of millions of innocent people.

Agree: 70%

Disagree: 16%

Stalin may have made some mistakes, but he did more good than bad.

Agree: 56%

Disagree: 33%

Nowadays some people exaggerate Stalin’s role in the repressions.

Agree: 42%

Disagree: 37%

Stalin deserves credit for the Soviet Union’s defeat of the Nazis.

Agree: 61%

Disagree: 28%

Monuments to Stalin’s victims should be built.

Agree: 53%

Disagree: 27%

Monuments to Stalin should be built.

Agree: 23%

Disagree: 58%

If Stalin were running for president today, would you vote for him?

Yes: 19%

No: 70%

Which statement do you agree with most?

Democracy is always best:

37%

Authoritarian government is sometimes better:

36%

Does not matter to people like me:

19%

What is the best form of government for Russia today?

Purely democratic:

22%

Mainly democratic, partly authoritarian:

40%

Mainly authoritarian, partly democratic:

19%

Purely authoritarian:

7%