The delusion that problems in international relations can be solved legally has a long history. For example, Woodrow Wilson, who has recently been mentioned often in modern Armenian political discourse, was the author of many historical and political science works before becoming the US President. At the end of his life, he only tried to implement his ideas in practical politics.
According to him, the key to success in international affairs is openness, democracy, and morality. The fact that his idealistic-optimistic approach has nothing to do with reality became clear even during the First World War of 1914-18. It should be all the more evident for Armenians because the “democracy” and “morality” of the West did not help us at all during that time.
Regarding the “power of treaties,” it would be helpful to know that in 1899 and 1902, international conferences were held in The Hague, during which 13 international conventions were signed, dedicated to the principles of peaceful settlement of disputed issues.
In the 20th century, it seems, humanity finally had to say goodbye to the illusions that the universal nature of democracy contributes to the settlement of contradictions. Supporters of political realism (for example, German-American political scientist Hans Morgenthau) tried to explain that national interests and power are crucial in international relations; that word should also be understood in the sense of authority -“power.”
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Here you have to separate values, love, sympathy, and inclination to one or another culture, on one side and interests, on the other. Although all my sympathy in the Russo-Ukrainian war is on the side of the Ukrainians, I understand that globally, the national interests of Ukraine coincide in many ways with the interests of Turkey and Azerbaijan. As much as I support the American model of democracy, I understand that the USA will never support Armenia the way it supports Ukraine.
I wonder why the government of Armenia relied on the USA and the EU to regulate relations with its neighbors. Honestly, I doubt that the Pashinyan’s administration cares much about democratic values. But it is evident that the position of the government smells of adventure.
You can ask: what is it? Should we count on Russia? My answer is- no. Let’s rely only on ourselves.
But that’s a separate conversation.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
