What happens when two people (say, a spouse or a friend) are in a heated argument? What, are they trying to convince each other which idea is better? Of course not. They just shout at each other and try to do it as loud as possible so that the other person’s voice is not heard. They argue not to listen to each other, but quite the opposite- to not listen to each other. I remembered when Vladimir Karapetyan (ANC) and Samvel Farmanyan (RPA) were in a “pre-election TV debate” in 2012. At one point, they spoke aloud at the same time so that not a single word was understood. Until each of the disputing parties realizes that they are not the embodiment of the Absolute Truth or, in this case, the embodiment of the People, they will have no opportunity to hear each other.
But until the formation of the parliament in 2021, all this was part of the general psychological patterns, which are manifested everywhere and in all spheres, starting from everyday life. Add to that the socio-political processes specific to our country, which have taken place during the last 10-12 years. If we briefly describe the root of this peculiarity, it can certainly be formulated as an extreme polarization of society. Moreover, I suppose it happened not spontaneously, but as a result of targeted efforts of political forces.
“Whoever is not with us is a scum” was, in fact, the slogan of the ANC in the 2008 presidential elections. So neither Hayk Marutyan nor Nikol Pashinyan have the “copyright” to separate “black” and “white.” Another issue is that the ANC wing liked that slogan, which later separated under Pashinyan, and that very approach became the “credo” of their policy in the following years. The key to the success of My Step or Civil Contract is hatred and enmity, which was deliberately incited among the population. Of course, the basis for that was the “lumpenization” of the same population in the previous decades, not only materially, but also spiritually, I would even say mentally, and the previous authorities are really responsible for all that. But that’s a separate topic.
And the society with this level and mood was offered to choose between “black” and “white” on June 20. (There were other colors that few, however, paid attention to). The Civil Contract said, “We are going to the parliament to curse the heirs of the ‘former regime.'” The “former” said, “we are going to the National Assembly to remove the traitor.” All other promises were formal, no voter was interested. Do you expect the political forces that have received a mandate with such intentions and that reflect a fragmented, polarized society like the electorate to engage in legislative activity and discuss issues of concern to our state?
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Aram Abrahamyan
