A few days ago, I had a private conversation with human rights activist Larisa Alaverdyan, and we came to the conclusion that Armenia needs a nobility, an aristocracy, and that is how Georgians differ from us. One may wonder how at least an officially democratic society would need a nobility. But everything is not so clear. In order to carry out these desires, not only is it necessary to have a political will, but also to have a political atmosphere. Nobility protects this atmosphere.
It is clear that this is not referring to an inherited aristocracy. Deciding anything based on “blood content” is simply laughable, and it is absurd in the 21st century. When people say in Britain, “he is a gentleman,” they do not mean that the person is a lord by birth. They are referring to his moral norms and behaviors. Using the term “intelligentsia” for such a phenomenon is quite controversial because it feels like a Soviet term. You imagine nomenclature writers and singers who have several medals hanging on their chests.
I think that a noble is someone who demonstrates taste in all areas, and not simply in the narrow meaning of the sociological term; someone who is not “rabiz” in social relationships. For example, they do not yell, they do not curse, and being insolent and depraved is ugly, and something that neither suits them nor is at their level. They do not respond to slander or curses. But, if it is necessary to say “no” in any circumstance, they will do it in a calm and critical way. They do not adapt to the crowds, but they do not ignore anyone, and they do not try to make themselves seem better than anyone. Just the opposite: they try to help everyone. They do not get involved in political games, they do not belong to any lists, but they do not try to separate themselves from society; they try to become an honorable member of it. Another important characteristic: a noble never speaks about themselves if no one asked them to.
But why is this elite necessary? The issue is that people, no matter how involved they are in daily activities, no matter how much they try to compete with one another in economic and other sectors through enforcing honest and dishonest methods, need standards of thought and behavior that may seem unacceptable or laughable to them. However, it needs to be right in front of people’s eyes.
And, in the end, it isn’t important whether or not people think this particular individual is a noble or not. What matters is that nobles know one another.
Aram Abrahamyan
