Andranik Nikoghosyan’s suggestion has psychological bases
Article 1 of the current Constitution of Armenia reads, “The Republic of Armenia is a sovereign, democratic, social State governed by the rule of law.” This Article will not be changed by the Constitutional amendments or the new Constitution. Both in the current Basic Law and in the proposed amendments, this Chapter is called “The Foundations of Constitutional Order”. There are Armenians who are talking against the foundations of the constitutional order and, in particular, are reluctant for Armenia to be a sovereign state. Andranik Nikoghosyan – almost unknown to a large group of people – is one of them. Let the lawyers give an appropriate assessment to such stance. But this matter also has a political and psychological aspect.
It is, of course, possible not to take the words of such people seriously. But let’s be honest and admit that many of current Armenians do not feel the honor and the joy of having a sovereign state otherwise such figures would not dare to suggest that Armenia should enter into the composition of another country. The psychology of this layer formed over 25 years is as follows: since the local authorities of Armenia are bad, then there is no sense in sovereignty, “perhaps” someone will come from outside, become a good statesman and have a good eye on these people. My impression is that there is no trust in these people that Putin will take Armenia and will take a “good care of it”. Indeed, recently he took the Crimea and, it seems, he does not make it flourish. But the psychological mechanism is simple: I am not responsible for my condition, the ones to be blamed are the “bad papas” that should be replaced with “good papas” but since it seems that there are no “good papas” in “this nation”, perhaps it would be better if we replace them with Putin. With such a mentality, we will never have a normal state, and statesmen like A. Nikoghosyan will always have a “place to talk”.
Nikoghosyan is trying to tempt us with the fact that by entering into the composition of Russia, Armenia’s border will become a border of the nuclear superpower. Frankly speaking, it absolutely does not tempt me. If I have come out to a dangerous street protected by armor from the front, back and both hands, does it make my life more secure? Perhaps, the opposite. Especially since the same “benefactor” also gives armor to my “ill-wishers”. On the other hand, it is clear that Russia cannot attract anyone by the progressive production capacity, high business culture, and, let’s say, high level of legitimacy but only by weapons, gas and oil.
“The Director General of the Institute of Strategic and Development” is confident that “Armenia by the absolute majority of votes will enter into the composition of Russia.” I hope that it is not the case. It would be the case only if my peers and much older people were living in Armenia. But in 10 years, we’ll be going to retirement and will have a minor impact on the public opinion. Hence, now, it is the last decade of the activeness of those who live with nostalgia. Fortunately, now, there are young people in our country who are not infected with Soviet empire nostalgia, who received an education in the West, who receive knowledge and information not only from Russian official propaganda but also from various sources of Internet. There are young people who work in the companies with western capital (mainly in the high-tech sphere), who communicate with other, a non-“post-Soviet” level of mindset and organization of work.
Thus, I have strong doubts about the “absolute majority”. Instead, I am confident in another thing: it is impossible to restore a Russian empire or a Soviet Union. We are living in entirely different economic conditions of economic relations and information field, it is impossible to “wind it back” by 30 years.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
