You, of course, remember, who the advocate of ‘militant materialism’ was. Mr. Ulyanov believed that there is not enough to support for this or that ideological stream and try to prove his truthfulness. It is necessary to “fight”. With all resultant consequences. And the Bolsheviks fought not only physically slaughtering ideological opponents, but also intruding the idea into several generations that nothing will happen without fighting against the internal enemy.
This is the reason that the times and ideas change, however, Lenin’s epithet remains valid. For example, during the years of stagnation, the Soviet empire was fighting for peace in such enthusiasm that it was ready to destroy the entire planet. In modern political life of Armenia, proletariat leader’s grandchildren and grand grandchildren continue his works. In 1988, the militant ANM members massacred communist Hrant Voskanyan’s head; in 1995, the militant anti-ANM members (which were, of course, the same people) burned the president’s dummy.
And now, nearly a century after Lenin, the former militant ANM member Arshak Sadoyan recommends a new term, “militant democracy” (“Shrjan”, No. 30). Scheme remains the same, only the word “democracy”, in itself, makes the understanding contradictory. In other word, what should be done with people who are not lucky enough to be democratic: to sent to concentration camps, shoot, hang. What to do with the “non-democratic” books and articles, to burn publicly in the bonfire. And all that in the name of democracy? In that case, I recommend a few more concept: ‘Militant tolerance”, “militant compromises”, “militant dialogue”, and finally … “white nigger”.
In the beginning of the 20th century (and, also to some extent in 1988-1990), we were used to a militant nationalism. “Oh, you’re not thinking like me. So, you’re a Turk, anti-national, Judaic mason, a traitor, and so on.” Recently, militant anti-nationalism was spread in Armenia (including, in our newspapers), according to which we are so dull, so limited, so provincial nation that have no way to talk. Despite this extremity is served with liberal-democratic spices, the great leader’s militant beard, however, is also evidential here.
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…. Only when we understand that we need to fight only against the foreign enemy, who has captured or is trying to capture your land, and in the internal life we need to do our best to understand each other, we can take a deep breath and say,- “A new era has started.”
ARAM ABRAHAMYAN
27.10.1995
