The majority of Yerevan Council of Elders, the capital of independent Armenia, continues dealing with Stalinism rehabilitation, which suggests that the idea of erecting a monument to Mikoyan was not a sudden deviation of the mind; it is a manifestation of strategic thought by the authorities, probably dictated by “customs motions.” A City Council member, director Ara Yernjakyan (RPA), who prior to this, was not displaying sympathy towards totalitarianism, at least, in his works, now, sees positive elements in the Stalin dictatorship. Here, we have to admit that there is certain logic: to justify Mikoyan we need also to justify Stalin.
But it is not the worst. More regrettable is the comments that was posted by a young man during the discussion, apparently having opposition views. According to him, if Stalin had killed more people, the Armenian country would not be in this situation. In other words, the order, lack of corruption and legitimacy of the government are due to the number of people shot in the past, in Stalin’s time. The more they were killed, the higher would have been the chances of criminal elements for fear.
This is not just the view of given young man, but also, I suppose, the view of his parents and grandparents. As if, legality must be established by the fear of the “iron fist”. Let’s leave aside what good or bad things had happened in Stalin’s time, it’s a matter of a long discussion. The matter, here, is about the so-called “Stalin’s prescription”. The fear of the man to be shot makes him more law-abiding. It’s an illusion, fear makes the man weak-willed, manageable, and it is not the way of law-abiding, but zombie.
In Armenia (let’s definitely make this reservation), harder is the regime, more closed becomes the government, uncontrolled and therefore corrupt. Only citizens that have no fear and sense of responsibility can bring the authorities “to order”, and, if necessary, to change. Because it is obvious that the theft and illegality are coming from the top, from the standards of behavior and thinking that are dictated to the society from “there”.
Moreover, our citizens are passive and tolerant just because our parents and grandparents have lived in Stalin’s time. Many of us are associating their fate with the good grace of the authorities. This will remain until the subconscious fear of to be shot exists.
ARAM ABRAHAMYAN
