A new web-based polling portal for Syrians, named Syriapol, has
been launched. The aim is
two-fold:
1) To offer Syrians of all viewpoints a
place to express, in quantitative terms, their attitudes toward the status
quo, or changes to it.
2) To provide that information, gathered through
an unbiased mechanism, to anyone who will make decisions, set policy, or
advocate a course of action, whether inside or outside the Syrian Arab
Republic, and from any political viewpoint, whether pro-regime or
anti-regime.
Syriapol’s goal is merely to collect valuable
information, and encourage its exchange. The project is actively
neutral – it does not seek to advocate any particular point of view,
only to collect information from Syrians regarding their views,
whether they are pro-regime, pro-opposition, or anywhere in
between.
Syria cannot move forward without the engagement of Syrian
citizens. Accordingly, this poll seeks to offer Syrians a space in which to
apply complex and multi-faceted thought to their country's future. And it will
provide those who make decisions, set policies, or promote courses of action
with quality public opinion data from the Syrian people themselves.
The
Syrian people will continue to feel the effects of positions advocated by
various parties on the political, democratic, economic, and diplomatic fronts. A
better an understanding of what the Syrian people desire in any of these areas,
what they prefer to see change or remain the same, and strongly they feel about
it – will play a crucial role in determining the success of any group, party, or
regime seeking to move Syria forward.
The poll itself does not pose
direct questions. Instead, it asks participants to evaluate a series of
hypothetical scenarios concerning government, politics, economy, democracy, and
the peace process. It then uses complex regression analysis techniques to
quantitatively determine preferences of the respondents. Finally, by correlating
the results to a series of demographic questions that accompany the poll, we can
analyze Syrian society segmented by geography, sect, age, education level, etc.
Individual replies will remain confidential. If the respondent so chooses, syriapol will share by email an analysis of that individual’s replies to the poll. Additionally, a summary of composite results and abstract findings will be published publicly and widely distributed.
Syriapol is absolutely independent. It is not funded by, affiliated with, or otherwise connected in any way whatsoever to any government, political party, movement, or organization, in any country.
All Syrians, and indeed anyone interested in Syrian attitudes toward government, politics, economy, democracy, and the peace process, are invited to visit Syriapol.
Feedback can be sent directly to the author, George Ajjan, at george@ajjan.com or through his personal website.
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