Prior to the constitutional referendum, a few dozen registered and unregistered political parties and hundreds of non-governmental organizations pop up, the names of which we have not heard in the last few years. They call for saying “yes” or “no” to the draft constitution. Naturally, the referendum is a good opportunity to remind of your own existence, there will be no such opportunity until the spring of 2017. It is noteworthy that calls are voiced by the people who introduce themselves as a “chairman of the party,” there is no vice-chairman or “a board member”, moreover, there are no ordinary members. (It’s a bit like war veterans having political or social ambitions are usually introducing themselves as a “squadron commander,” it seems there are no soldiers among such people).
No one says, “I, Poghos Poghossyan”, or “I, Petros Petrosyan, think this way about this issue.” It is preferable to say that “my party urges to do this or that thing.” It has two “advantages”. First, you do not just express your opinion, but voicing “calls”. Consequently, you are not an ordinary man but a “statesman”. Secondly, you are a “chieftain” and have followers, adherents.
I wonder, why people usually create political parties and different other groups. I think the problem is that (do not be surprised) they are not confident in themselves. They fear that their words or actions will not be so convincing to others, while it is extremely important for this type of people to know who perceives them how. And when you have real or imaginary followers, it means that your every thought or movement becomes “meaningful”, you were able to “dominate” others’ brains, consequently, you deserve something.
But if you do not have ambitions of a big or small “chieftain” (which does not happen so often in Armenia), you can be a follower. It is also a pretty convenient position, again, so to speak, you are in the “flock”. Here, too, you can turn off your brain and listen to various instructions and calls. You also have the opportunity to pronounce speeches that also contain “calls” in compliance with the “letter and the spirit” of your group. And to be proud of, “I delivered such a good speech that the “chieftain” praised me.” People are attracted, “fascinated” by this. And these methods to “overcome” the distrust and bewilderment do not allow to stop for a moment and look at everything from the side, outside.
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During the political “sharp conflicts”, I feel more acutely about people’s wasting their time and nerves on senseless stupidities.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
