If my goal is to help young people, that they enjoy a dignified old age after retirement, I have to explain to these young people that accumulation of pension is beneficial to them. If they are not sure, and do not believe, we should not resort to “force”. I’ll bring my example to shows that by voluntary participation in the system, in 50 years I have accumulated an X amount and in 10 years, when I will get to my retirement age, I will have considerably more than my peer, who receives a “regular” pension. This is the logic of a normal, democratic state.
But, if my goal is to collect the money at any cost, I would not just “force” everyone, but also exert pressure on young people under my dependency, who work in kindergartens, schools, local governments and elsewhere, that they sign the necessary papers and allegedly “choose” their money managing funds. It will have two negative consequences. First, the whole society will doubt that I do not pursue the goal of “doing a favor” to the young people, and I withdraw 5 percent of the salary based on not their but my interests. The second negative consequence is more dangerous. Exerting pressure, humiliating people, which at the moment can not publicly answer me, I have acquired arch-enemies.
Moreover, these enemies are filled with much stronger negative emotions against the authorities and the state (unfortunately, we identify the notions), than those who are protesting in the streets, and those who are photographed with a thumb finger showing down. These two categories of young people are already on the way of regaining their citizenship, regardless of whether they are right or wrong in this concrete case. Quite a greater is the likelihood that they will stay in Armenia, work regularly and fight for our country to become better.
Those who try to chide the complaint through the “whip”, these people blaspheme and curse in their surroundings, they are eager to flee the country, and if not, they will work purely formally, without any serious motivation. If some people believe that living under the “stick” for 70 years has left no trace in people’s souls, are sadly mistaken.
Hence, exerting pressure, forcing seems easy, fun, and even “beneficial to the state” only at first glance. In fact, it is quite reasonable behavior. This should remember the adults when they are in relationship with kids, the heads of institutions when communicating with their subordinates, as well as the great powers, who want to impose their will on young generations.
ARAM ABRAHAMYAN
