Let’s take the GDP chart per capita as of April this year by the data of the International Monetary Fund. Qatar, Luxembourg, Singapore, Norway, Brunei, the United States, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Canada, and Australia rank in the first ten. As you can see, there are European and Asian countries in this list, as well as the United States and Australia. Armenia ranks the 117th among 187 countries.
We are unhappy with this situation and are willing to resemble the aforesaid countries with our welfare. Tell me please, which states are closer to us: Brunei with its Sultan, Islam, oil and gas, or the European countries listed here. It is definite for me that the Europe is closer to us in terms of civilization, and cultural.
Very often, we oppose Europe to Russia. Given the current political realities, it’s true. But let’s go back to the GDP chart per capita. Russia ranks the 58th after the European, including the Baltic countries. Why does the country with vast natural resources and occupying one-sixth of the world’s land mass rank after Gabon, Trinidad and Tobago, as well as Palau unknown to many of us. Probably because Russia’s political regime does not contribute to the efficient use of the aforementioned resources, which hampers the economic development. The cold war and the arms race, in which this country is involved now, will create extra difficulties and will end up just like in 1970-80’s for the Soviet Union. After that, new “reconstruction” will launch in Russia, which will be conducted half-done, and this will be followed again by the process of “getting up from the knees”.
Europe, which is, of course, also has a lot of problems, is not subject to such turmoil. Free competition, which is provided by the European political regimes, in spite of all difficulties, has proved its viability. It’s also our way. It does not matter which alliances we will be involved; it is the matter of tactics. The matter is in the choice of political and economic model, which will help our citizens live in comfort and decent life.
Read also
It is clear that Brunei or Singapore cannot serve as an example for us. The difference between national psychologies is excessively great.
ARAM ABRAHAMYAN
