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WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BUILD A NATION
By: Sanan Shirinian
Haytoug Magazine
June 19 2012
There are several important elements necessary in the continuous
process of state development. Among these are fair and transparent
elections, an active and engaged civil society and a functioning
judicial system. Today, Armenia seems to be at a turning point and its
subsequent steps will be critical for her to develop into a stable
democratic nation. Any meaningful attempt to challenge inequity or
injustice will require a meaningful alternative to the status quo.
These alternatives can be represented through another important
element in state development: public policy.
The Hrayr Maroukhian Foundation (HMF) was created in the Republic of
Armenia in 2009 by the Supreme Council of the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation-Dashnaktsutyun. HMF is a social democratic think-tank
that produces academic research papers, linking them to political
decision-making and policy. The foundation is committed to the
development and advancement of public policy issues and works to
strengthen democratic institutions through social and economic policy
research.
To date, HMF has produced three policy papers, recommending
improvements to the healthcare, housing and employment sectors of
Armenia. Through a designated working group of experts focusing on each
specific policy area, these studies aim to implement the populations'
right to quality housing, employment and accessible and affordable
health care.
Currently, new working groups are undertaking three other sectors
in need of reforms: agriculture, mining and education. They will
be examining the current state of these areas and recommending
alternative, original and applicable solutions from a social democratic
perspective. Working at HMF, I am privileged to be taking a part
in the cultivation of our nation on a daily basis, and am proud of
the work we produce. There is a difference when conservative parties
in Armenia preach socially favorable rhetoric and when true leftist
parties create policies in the interest of the public. The policies
produced by this foundation reflect social democratic principles and
therefore work to defend the general welfare of the population.
However, during my fifteen minute walk to work every morning, I think
about the endless problems of our nation, from population decline
and extreme poverty, to hostile neighbors and exploitive leaders. I
cannot help but ask myself, "Is what we're doing enough?"
Policy interventions are done in a complex system where many other
factors must be considered. They are surely an important part
of the entire process of nation-building, but their potential is
compromised when entrusted to the hands of corrupt officials. In a
hierarchical environment, such as the one in Armenia, there is bound
to be resistance to progress and difficulty rallying the public to
enforce necessary change. Therefore, along with policy analysis there
needs to be political will and public pressure to implement solutions.
There also needs to be a collective effort of society, participating
in different ways. HMF is working to implement change through policy
alternatives, but we need more to do the same. We need more people
joining the environmentalists protesting in the streets day and night.
We need more scholars receiving their doctorate in political science
and international development. We need more women raising their voices
in the name of equality. In order to reach the level of stability and
even prosperity our nation deserves, we need this intricate network
of participants working alongside each other.
To say that the current government of Armenia is solely dedicated
to the special interests of the elite is no major revelation. It
is fairly obvious that the personal gain of the privileged upper
class and the preservation of business interests is reinforced at the
expense of the nation's prosperity. This is a direct infringement on
people's freedoms. We have failed to even create a facade of formal
institutions to give the illusion of democracy. And the question on
everyone's mind is the same: How do we fix it?
Some may think that Armenian society should push for idealist notions
of revolutionary uprisings. Others believe we need to work towards
democratic manifestations of social and political progress. I suppose
the former sees genuine victory being born from an abrupt spark that
will ignite a revolution and uproot our entire system of operation.
Conversely, the latter trusts a process of gradual democratic
accomplishments. All I can be sure of is this: whether a transformation
comes from uprisings like we have seen across the Middle East or
through more steady means, it can only come from the force and the will
of the people. That is the only clearly definable victory. A government
established on the basis of the general will is a victory. And to
what extent the government responds to the will of the people will
determine the amount of force used by the people.
Therefore, whether you are working at a policy institute, campaigning
for the elections or organizing a rebellion, stay active. Your
participation is a necessity in establishing a politically stable,
socially just and economically prosperous nation.
From: A. Papazian
By: Sanan Shirinian
Haytoug Magazine
June 19 2012
There are several important elements necessary in the continuous
process of state development. Among these are fair and transparent
elections, an active and engaged civil society and a functioning
judicial system. Today, Armenia seems to be at a turning point and its
subsequent steps will be critical for her to develop into a stable
democratic nation. Any meaningful attempt to challenge inequity or
injustice will require a meaningful alternative to the status quo.
These alternatives can be represented through another important
element in state development: public policy.
The Hrayr Maroukhian Foundation (HMF) was created in the Republic of
Armenia in 2009 by the Supreme Council of the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation-Dashnaktsutyun. HMF is a social democratic think-tank
that produces academic research papers, linking them to political
decision-making and policy. The foundation is committed to the
development and advancement of public policy issues and works to
strengthen democratic institutions through social and economic policy
research.
To date, HMF has produced three policy papers, recommending
improvements to the healthcare, housing and employment sectors of
Armenia. Through a designated working group of experts focusing on each
specific policy area, these studies aim to implement the populations'
right to quality housing, employment and accessible and affordable
health care.
Currently, new working groups are undertaking three other sectors
in need of reforms: agriculture, mining and education. They will
be examining the current state of these areas and recommending
alternative, original and applicable solutions from a social democratic
perspective. Working at HMF, I am privileged to be taking a part
in the cultivation of our nation on a daily basis, and am proud of
the work we produce. There is a difference when conservative parties
in Armenia preach socially favorable rhetoric and when true leftist
parties create policies in the interest of the public. The policies
produced by this foundation reflect social democratic principles and
therefore work to defend the general welfare of the population.
However, during my fifteen minute walk to work every morning, I think
about the endless problems of our nation, from population decline
and extreme poverty, to hostile neighbors and exploitive leaders. I
cannot help but ask myself, "Is what we're doing enough?"
Policy interventions are done in a complex system where many other
factors must be considered. They are surely an important part
of the entire process of nation-building, but their potential is
compromised when entrusted to the hands of corrupt officials. In a
hierarchical environment, such as the one in Armenia, there is bound
to be resistance to progress and difficulty rallying the public to
enforce necessary change. Therefore, along with policy analysis there
needs to be political will and public pressure to implement solutions.
There also needs to be a collective effort of society, participating
in different ways. HMF is working to implement change through policy
alternatives, but we need more to do the same. We need more people
joining the environmentalists protesting in the streets day and night.
We need more scholars receiving their doctorate in political science
and international development. We need more women raising their voices
in the name of equality. In order to reach the level of stability and
even prosperity our nation deserves, we need this intricate network
of participants working alongside each other.
To say that the current government of Armenia is solely dedicated
to the special interests of the elite is no major revelation. It
is fairly obvious that the personal gain of the privileged upper
class and the preservation of business interests is reinforced at the
expense of the nation's prosperity. This is a direct infringement on
people's freedoms. We have failed to even create a facade of formal
institutions to give the illusion of democracy. And the question on
everyone's mind is the same: How do we fix it?
Some may think that Armenian society should push for idealist notions
of revolutionary uprisings. Others believe we need to work towards
democratic manifestations of social and political progress. I suppose
the former sees genuine victory being born from an abrupt spark that
will ignite a revolution and uproot our entire system of operation.
Conversely, the latter trusts a process of gradual democratic
accomplishments. All I can be sure of is this: whether a transformation
comes from uprisings like we have seen across the Middle East or
through more steady means, it can only come from the force and the will
of the people. That is the only clearly definable victory. A government
established on the basis of the general will is a victory. And to
what extent the government responds to the will of the people will
determine the amount of force used by the people.
Therefore, whether you are working at a policy institute, campaigning
for the elections or organizing a rebellion, stay active. Your
participation is a necessity in establishing a politically stable,
socially just and economically prosperous nation.
From: A. Papazian