From the “offending” type to the “fighting type”
After the solution of the “PAP problem”, yet there are no signs that the opposition is ready to soberly analyze the next public frustration and change its mindset formed over two decades. Currently, the main explanation for the opposition is that the “popular movement” (in other words, people brought to the rallies by money, representatives of sports structures and the Kotayk province) were “almost” doing a revolution, but the government exercised power methods and the revolution failed. It reminds me of my teenage years, when some of my friends were going to Moscow to be admitted to the МГИМО (Moscow State Institute of International Relations -the “most elite” university of the Soviet), were left out in half a score and then coming back to Yerevan telling that they were “almost” admitted. First, to be honest, I doubt that this time the revolution was so close. Secondly, let’s state that given the PAP party’s peculiarities, the power methods were pretty “mild” – without the tanks appeared in the streets. Although, if needed, definitely, they would it too. But most importantly is analyzing why the government over 20 years have the opportunity to use the power methods.
The opposition members often ask the analysts why you speak about our mistakes and do not say how bad the government is. I will try answering this question. Because the government has no reason, nor the need to “be good.” Neither ANM (since 1991) nor Kocharyan power nor RPA now needed and need to act as a political force, suggest some ideas or outcomes or even to improve the living standards of the population. The only concern of the government was and is the power and the administrative levers, as well as keeping the criminalized groups in the “fighting mode”. If this is enough in Armenia and other post-Soviet countries to maintain the government, then why they should “cause a headache” to themselves for other things. Should Obama, Merkel, and Hollande be in their place, they would do exactly the same. But in the mentioned countries, the state mechanisms are built so and the public pressure is as such that they are unable to maintain the government only with the help of the police, taxation or the “tough guys”.
That is why they are thinking about other things too, whether good or bad, it is another matter. If not necessary, they would not move a finger. That is why there is no need to analyze the behavior of the government. It is a standard that operates over 20 years. There is a need to analyze the behavior of all the remaining political forces, public organizations and our, the citizens. This requires what is called in the West a “paradigm deviation”, in other words, a model change, just like Einstein who did not deny Newton’s physics, but fortified, expanded and “generalized” it.
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In the 90s, NDU, ARF and a number of other parties were saying to people, “ANM plunder you,” in the 2000’s – the “National Unity”, PPA and other forces claimed, “Kocharyan followers plunder you”, today the ANC (former ANM) and others are saying, “The RPA plunders you.” The objective of this campaign is obvious, the citizen should feel that the reason for all his financial difficulties is the ruling political party, some persons who deprive him of the good things that would reach him in case of the “fair distribution”. This should cause fury in people and push to revolution.
It seems to public and political figures, also the majority of the media that thus they are bringing up a “fighting type” of citizens. In fact, they are bringing up an “offended type”, who are not capable to serious riots. People live in the delusion that somewhere there is prosperous life that the NDU, PPA or ANC are able to provide it for them. And when they do not provide, they get more offended.
Whereas, the “fighting type”, in my opinion, is the one who makes daily efforts to improve his and his family members’ lives. This is the foundation of any social and political fight. Calling a “fighting type” to those who sit on the couch (at the computer) and complain, indeed, is easier.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
