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Oppositionist speaks of political, economic monopolies and `serfdom' in Armenia
11:35 - 24.11.13
Economist Vahagn Khachatryan, an Armenian National Congress (ANC)
member, notes that, after supermarkets have gained a monopoly over the
food market, it is now the turn of the clothing market.
Evidence thereof is the closing clothing shops. The reason is placing
the market at individuals' disposal by granting them tax and customs
benefits.
In interview with Tert.am, Mr Khachatryan addressed the mechanism
making Armenia's political arena and economy `empty' and turning
people into slaves.
`They are enjoying political and economic monopolies. They are well
aware that economy cannot be different in an authoritarian state.
They have not the courage to implement a different policy. How can
people be independent of them? When they are economically and
financially independent,' he said.
`Our country needs slaves. Friedrich August Hayek, a winner of the
Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences and one of the fathers of
liberalism has a book entitled The Road to Serfdom. The idea of the
book is how people are stripped of their freedom. Private ownership is
the best way to freedom. But they are now robbing people of their
property. People have to give up their land because they say `we will
do better than you.''
Such concept as `sharing' is no more. `They allow you to start up a
business to rob you of it later,' Mr Khachatryan said.
`The mechanism brings wealthy people to ruin as well. [Armenia's first
president] Levon Ter-Petrosyan used to say they would turn into
`beggars,' and they felt hurt. But we can see this tendency. Samvel
Alexanyan (a businessman and MP affiliated with the ruling Republican
Party of Armenia) will be the next, followed by someone else,' he
said.
`Oligarchs must realize that the system is ruining their life as well.
So we need a change of power by means of political movements.
Unfortunately, many forces, including our proponents, failed to
understand us,' Mr Khachatryan said.
Asked about the next stage, he said: `An authoritarian system is
operating now to be followed by dictatorship. The government and the
National Assembly are of secondary importance. Law is not working in
the country, but one man's desires are.'
Armenian News - Tert.am
11:35 - 24.11.13
Economist Vahagn Khachatryan, an Armenian National Congress (ANC)
member, notes that, after supermarkets have gained a monopoly over the
food market, it is now the turn of the clothing market.
Evidence thereof is the closing clothing shops. The reason is placing
the market at individuals' disposal by granting them tax and customs
benefits.
In interview with Tert.am, Mr Khachatryan addressed the mechanism
making Armenia's political arena and economy `empty' and turning
people into slaves.
`They are enjoying political and economic monopolies. They are well
aware that economy cannot be different in an authoritarian state.
They have not the courage to implement a different policy. How can
people be independent of them? When they are economically and
financially independent,' he said.
`Our country needs slaves. Friedrich August Hayek, a winner of the
Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences and one of the fathers of
liberalism has a book entitled The Road to Serfdom. The idea of the
book is how people are stripped of their freedom. Private ownership is
the best way to freedom. But they are now robbing people of their
property. People have to give up their land because they say `we will
do better than you.''
Such concept as `sharing' is no more. `They allow you to start up a
business to rob you of it later,' Mr Khachatryan said.
`The mechanism brings wealthy people to ruin as well. [Armenia's first
president] Levon Ter-Petrosyan used to say they would turn into
`beggars,' and they felt hurt. But we can see this tendency. Samvel
Alexanyan (a businessman and MP affiliated with the ruling Republican
Party of Armenia) will be the next, followed by someone else,' he
said.
`Oligarchs must realize that the system is ruining their life as well.
So we need a change of power by means of political movements.
Unfortunately, many forces, including our proponents, failed to
understand us,' Mr Khachatryan said.
Asked about the next stage, he said: `An authoritarian system is
operating now to be followed by dictatorship. The government and the
National Assembly are of secondary importance. Law is not working in
the country, but one man's desires are.'
Armenian News - Tert.am