The idea of the shadow Government is adopted as a game coming from the West, which is not applicable to our conditions at all. “What shadow government? What have you invented? Everything is much clearer: those devouring should be replaced with those who don’t so that the people would live well.” The experience, however, shows that those “not devouring” actually do not exist. No, of course, Mother Teresa or Pope Francis will not do it under any circumstances. But the average statistic man will steal: a/ if he has the chance, b/ if he thinks that he will not be caught, c/ if stealing is more advantageous than non-stealing. These three preconditions together create a system, in which we and many other countries live. Because of the significant decrease thereof (I do not believe in total elimination), another system emerges, which we are seeking.
System can break a system. This “anti-system” can emerge when the oppositions cease nursing hope on “people’s emotions” and instincts and elaborate plans for each specific industry. This is where I see the significance of the “shadow government.” Certainly, this mechanism cannot be applied in Armenia in the classical sense that operates in the UK where the shadow Cabinet is formed by parliamentary minority and plays a key role in the political system of this country. In our country, this could be just as an opposition plan so far.
In this sense, the “Civil Contract” party initiative is interesting. I think that in this, in fact, pre-election round, the electorates need to know the “staff bank”, with which this or that political party is planning to implement systemic changes, which people are talking about the significance of it. For example, from whom I should know how given political party sees the reforms in the educational system of Armenia (and I think no one will argue that this system critically needs reforms) if not from the “shadow minister of education” of given political party.
In general, judging from Nikol Pashinyan’s professionally build-in speeches as well as, for example, from the gesture used at the Khorenatsi Street rally: hands up which symbolizes an unarmed political struggle, serous political technologists are working with the “Civil Contract” and I think, not from Armenia. In my opinion, this is not a disadvantage but an advantage. Time for “handicraft” populism, “Ouch! They are looting. Ouch! They are worse than Turks” has elapsed. Populism should also be laid on “scientific foundations”.
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Aram ABRAHAMYAN
