The founder of modern Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew, believed that for real democracy it is necessary that at least half of the population would receive USD 5000 per month and is well-educated. Let’s suppose. And what is necessary for the population to be so educated and prosperous. I assume that … democracy. If not, then what is the alternative to it? For the people who inwardly would be so honest, unselfish and patriotic would come to power by non-democratic way, and would not think of enriching them, their families and the surrounding, will create equal conditions for all businesses, and thanks to the virtues of these incomparable people popped up by miracle, the country will prosper so that half of the citizens will receive more than USD 5000 salary per monthly and will be engaged in self-education.
I do not know maybe such cases have happened in the world but it is excluded in Armenia. It turns out that it is necessary to have a democracy to have a good life in our country but according to former prime minister of Singapore, democracy is possible only in a prosperous country. The exit of this “insurmountable dialectic” of a chicken and an egg is perhaps gradual transition, where the motive, however, should be the political changes. If the RPA does not get the “stable majority” in the parliamentary elections, then hardly it will lead to democracy, moreover, a USD 5000 salary but it is very likely that it would be a positive signal. People will understand that the political monopoly is not eternal, consequently, the economic monopolies cam also be eliminated. It would be a move to economic freedom. I am talking just about the elections. Palace coup gives nothing; in that case, any other political party would be an “RPA”. Given the developments around “Karabakh”, it is a possible option, we have already passed it.
The delusion that allegedly it is possible to receive a salary of USD 500 without democracy, wrong expectations are formed in Armenia: soon the good king will come and will distribute high salary. The entire problem is that a/ in the case of adequate mechanisms, the personal features of the functionaries do not ensure welfare in itself, b/ no one, however, will “dedicate” the USD 5000 salary and especially, high educational level: they must be earned by daily hardship work. Everything depends on “earning”, everything is given with difficulties: “good” authorities, democracy, welfare, education and even personal happiness. What is the point to sit down and complain about why they do not exist?
… Perhaps Lee Kuan Yew was right for Singapore but not in the case of Armenia.
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ARAM ABRAHAMYAN
