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Civil Society Developing Step By Step In Armenia - Opinions

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  • Civil Society Developing Step By Step In Armenia - Opinions

    CIVIL SOCIETY DEVELOPING STEP BY STEP IN ARMENIA - OPINIONS

    10:38 27.07.13

    Though the civil society has not yet become eventually accomplished
    in Armenia, it is beginning to step by step find its real place in
    the society, according Stepan Safaryan, a secretary of the opposition
    Heritage party.

    The politician believes that the civil society institutions should
    stand apart from political forces, as each have their own objectives
    and implement their own project accordingly. Safaryan says it would be
    naïve to think that the civil society can ever replace any political
    forces.

    "The political forces and the civil society are different concepts
    in political terms; those are unions pursuing different interests and
    performing different functions," he told Tert.am. "The civil society's
    interest and objective is to offer a counterbalance to the government
    power, while the political forces seek to accede to power. Their
    objectives are different originally, so none of them can replace the
    other. Any civil society appearing on the political arena without
    changing its objective will become an amorphous body wishes only to
    be a counterbalance, without coming to power or realizing projects."

    Safaryan said the civil society's success in the recent campaign
    against the hike in the public transport fares is a good progress
    for it, which however, does not imply the institution has become
    accomplished.

    "What the society did was wonderful, of course, but to say that
    the civil society is developed in Armenia would not be right; t has
    to pass its path - both political and civil - like any other state
    institution," he added.

    Commenting on the civil society's victory in resuming former amount
    of the bus fares, Andrias Ghukasyan, a political analyst and a former
    presidential candidate, agreed that the success - despite being a big
    value for the public - is not enough for considering the institution
    accomplished.

    "We have to realize that the civil society building is going to be a
    step-by-step process; we now have the strong anchor, a process which
    has taken shape. I am sure the youth will continue the struggle,"
    said he, adding that the process is likely to yield tangible benefits
    in the course of time.

    But Ghukasyan didn't agree that a precedent will be a good lesson
    for the ruling authorities.

    "I don't think the criminal oligarchs will essentially change their
    behavior and worldview. This is a regime which survives at the public's
    expense, so taking the public opinion into consideration is ruled
    out for them as that would reduce their anchor to pieces.

    Therefore I think that the phase we'll enter will see formalities
    increase, with both the government and the state institutions taking
    seemingly open and democratic steps. That may last some time but it
    is necessary to be ready for the right answer without being misled,"
    he said.

    Armenian News - Tert.am

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