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Armenian Center for National and International Studies
75 Yerznkian Street
Yerevan 0033, Armenia
Tel: (+374 - 10) 52.87.80 or 27.48.18
Fax: (+374 - 10) 52.48.46
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Website: www.acnis.am
May 5, 2011
ACNIS Looks at National Popular Calls and Political Demands in Armenia
Yerevan--In light of most recent domestic political and social
developments in Armenia, the Armenian Center for National and
International Studies (ACNIS) today held a roundtable discussion
entitled `Armenia: Public Demands and Domestic Political Proposals.'
The meeting brought together representatives from international
organizations and the diplomatic community in Yerevan, leading
analysts, policy specialists, and members of the press.
Welcoming the audience with opening remarks, ACNIS Director of
Research Manvel Sargsian said he looked forward to a lively and
thorough discussion. `Our objective today is to make an attempt at
understanding the extent in which the processes taking place in
Armenia correspond to societal expectations and the logic of present
debates,' Sargsian stated.
The day's first speaker, historian and ethnographer Aghasi Tadevosyan,
analyzed the key elements of the existing discussions among different
social strata of Armenia, and pointed to the essence of post-Soviet
stereotypes and challenges of independence. Tadevosyan examined the
domains of benefits and interests which Armenia's oligarchic clan,
small- and medium-size business owners, innovative-thinking young
generation, the `faceless society,' and other groups represent. In his
view, some of these groups do understand their individual gains but do
not perceive the mechanisms for attaining these rewards, whereas other
groups are capable of presenting their vision in a universal and
organized manner. `The main challenge for the body politic is
promoting the process of stratification, that is, the imperative of
transitioning from a homogenous nationalistic culture to a stratified
society,' Tadevosyan maintained.
In his turn, Manvel Sargsian looked at the current political
developments in Armenia. He underscored that for long years the
country's political elite was `operating' in a local and unbound
territory, and making the society's potential serve toward the
resolution of this elite's problems. But in recent times, as per
Sargsian, the Armenian society, just like in the Arab world, has begun
to voice its ideals for the country's development and to pose demands
upon the political forces, specifically the opposition. According to
the speaker, as a result the argument in favor of forming a government
through fair elections was emphasized. `The most regressive phenomenon
which has `dropped anchor' amongst the opposition, and which is
noticeable amid different opposition circles, is their accusing of one
another of serving the authorities and carrying out their demands. And
the most astonishing is the fact that the authoritarian perceptions
for all types of occurrences have started to become paramount among
the opposition,' ACNIS Director of Research argued, adding that the
talk about the necessity for a third force is likewise an outcome of
authoritarian attitudes.
The presentations were followed by a series of questions and answers,
and featured a lively exchange with the audience. The roundtable
participants also included attorney Andreas Ghukasyan; vice president
Arayik Sargsyan of the Geopolitical Academy; governance expert
Harutiun Mesropyan; chairman Edward Antinyan of the Ramkavar Liberal
Party of Armenia; chairwoman Arpine Galfayan of the Institute for
Democracy and Human Rights; ACNIS analyst Edgar Vardanian; political
scientist Artur Avtandilyan; and several others.
------------------------------------------------------------------
The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) is
a leading independent strategic research center located in Yerevan,
Armenia. As an independent, objective institution committed to
conducting professional policy research and analysis, ACNIS strives to
raise the level of public debate and seeks to broaden public
engagement in the public policy process, as well as fostering greater
and more inclusive public knowledge. Founded in 1994, ACNIS is the
institutional initiative of Raffi K. Hovannisian, Armenia's first
Minister of Foreign Affairs. Over the past fifteen years, ACNIS has
acquired a prominent reputation as a primary source of professional
independent research and analysis covering a wide range of national
and international policy issues.
For further information on the Center call (37410) 52-87-80 or
27-48-18; fax (37410) 52-48-46; email [email protected] or [email protected];
or visit www.acnis.am
From: A. Papazian
Armenian Center for National and International Studies
75 Yerznkian Street
Yerevan 0033, Armenia
Tel: (+374 - 10) 52.87.80 or 27.48.18
Fax: (+374 - 10) 52.48.46
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Website: www.acnis.am
May 5, 2011
ACNIS Looks at National Popular Calls and Political Demands in Armenia
Yerevan--In light of most recent domestic political and social
developments in Armenia, the Armenian Center for National and
International Studies (ACNIS) today held a roundtable discussion
entitled `Armenia: Public Demands and Domestic Political Proposals.'
The meeting brought together representatives from international
organizations and the diplomatic community in Yerevan, leading
analysts, policy specialists, and members of the press.
Welcoming the audience with opening remarks, ACNIS Director of
Research Manvel Sargsian said he looked forward to a lively and
thorough discussion. `Our objective today is to make an attempt at
understanding the extent in which the processes taking place in
Armenia correspond to societal expectations and the logic of present
debates,' Sargsian stated.
The day's first speaker, historian and ethnographer Aghasi Tadevosyan,
analyzed the key elements of the existing discussions among different
social strata of Armenia, and pointed to the essence of post-Soviet
stereotypes and challenges of independence. Tadevosyan examined the
domains of benefits and interests which Armenia's oligarchic clan,
small- and medium-size business owners, innovative-thinking young
generation, the `faceless society,' and other groups represent. In his
view, some of these groups do understand their individual gains but do
not perceive the mechanisms for attaining these rewards, whereas other
groups are capable of presenting their vision in a universal and
organized manner. `The main challenge for the body politic is
promoting the process of stratification, that is, the imperative of
transitioning from a homogenous nationalistic culture to a stratified
society,' Tadevosyan maintained.
In his turn, Manvel Sargsian looked at the current political
developments in Armenia. He underscored that for long years the
country's political elite was `operating' in a local and unbound
territory, and making the society's potential serve toward the
resolution of this elite's problems. But in recent times, as per
Sargsian, the Armenian society, just like in the Arab world, has begun
to voice its ideals for the country's development and to pose demands
upon the political forces, specifically the opposition. According to
the speaker, as a result the argument in favor of forming a government
through fair elections was emphasized. `The most regressive phenomenon
which has `dropped anchor' amongst the opposition, and which is
noticeable amid different opposition circles, is their accusing of one
another of serving the authorities and carrying out their demands. And
the most astonishing is the fact that the authoritarian perceptions
for all types of occurrences have started to become paramount among
the opposition,' ACNIS Director of Research argued, adding that the
talk about the necessity for a third force is likewise an outcome of
authoritarian attitudes.
The presentations were followed by a series of questions and answers,
and featured a lively exchange with the audience. The roundtable
participants also included attorney Andreas Ghukasyan; vice president
Arayik Sargsyan of the Geopolitical Academy; governance expert
Harutiun Mesropyan; chairman Edward Antinyan of the Ramkavar Liberal
Party of Armenia; chairwoman Arpine Galfayan of the Institute for
Democracy and Human Rights; ACNIS analyst Edgar Vardanian; political
scientist Artur Avtandilyan; and several others.
------------------------------------------------------------------
The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) is
a leading independent strategic research center located in Yerevan,
Armenia. As an independent, objective institution committed to
conducting professional policy research and analysis, ACNIS strives to
raise the level of public debate and seeks to broaden public
engagement in the public policy process, as well as fostering greater
and more inclusive public knowledge. Founded in 1994, ACNIS is the
institutional initiative of Raffi K. Hovannisian, Armenia's first
Minister of Foreign Affairs. Over the past fifteen years, ACNIS has
acquired a prominent reputation as a primary source of professional
independent research and analysis covering a wide range of national
and international policy issues.
For further information on the Center call (37410) 52-87-80 or
27-48-18; fax (37410) 52-48-46; email [email protected] or [email protected];
or visit www.acnis.am
From: A. Papazian