Current Condition of Armenia

[KanadaHye]

Re: Current Condition of Armenia

What needs to be done is for the oligarchs to provide the education, resources and land that is needed for the people to build their homes and revitalize farming and industry. If you have access to building supplies and have the tools and know-how, you can build housing and development rather quickly. There has to be a collective thinking not the "me, myself and I". It's amazing what can be accomplished if people work together instead of against each other. As long as the few people that are well off stand in the way of those that are barely surviving, nothing will change.

Henry Ford's model was to pay people more money initially to attract workers to his automotive assembly line. However, he was vehemently against unions which the government imposed on his business. His idea was to make automobiles affordable for everyone as quickly and efficiently as possible and the unions do the exact opposite. Basically he got hijacked by other oligarchs.

[Haykakan]

Re: Current Condition of Armenia

"There has to be a collective thinking not the "me, myself and I". "
This kind of collective thinking is exactly what capitalism will not allow. Why would oligrachs make the changes you mention when these changes will create competition for themselves. The existing economic model is horrid for any country but particularly for Armenia.

[KanadaHye]

Re: Current Condition of Armenia

"There has to be a collective thinking not the "me, myself and I". "
This kind of collective thinking is exactly what capitalism will not allow. Why would oligrachs make the changes you mention when these changes will create competition for themselves. The existing economic model is horrid for any country but particularly for Armenia.

I don't know.... if people were after me for a witch hunt, I'd probably throw them a bone or two.

[Nare]

Re: Current Condition of Armenia

Nobody "gets" money without working unless they "borrowed" money.

I'll have to add though.... what some Armenians are good at is free loading off of hard working Armenians. They have perfected that, it's like a natural instinct.

We are talking about people who work. I am not exactly advocating here lazy style of life or I would call myself a Georgian lol

[Nare]

Re: Current Condition of Armenia

The emmigration problem is not new and it is a huge problem which has its roots in the lack of economic opportunities found inside the country. There was talk of using the Singapour development model for Hayastan but it never amounted to much. Those who wanted Armenia to emulate the west and its capitalistic market system (includes most diasporan armenians) got their wish but appearantly were not smart enough to realize that capitalism is not only bad for all countries but it is particularly bad for Armenia which is landlocked, blockaded and without valuable resources. The ideal development of capitalism is the Henry Ford model where the rich realize that by paying higher wages they are doing themselves a favor because workers who have money will buy more of their stuff. It is painfully obvious this model is not applied to Armenia's situation. People who leave Armenia have very good reasons (mainly economic)for doing so and unless these reasons are adressed they will keep leaving. Unfortunately the nature of the capitalist system which has now entrenched itself into the country prevents the implimenting of any real solutions to the problem. As of now there are only two options which can bring about a favorable outcome for the country i love. Option 1 is the oligarchs adopt a henry ford style model thus improving living standards, this model will be difficult to impliment in Armenia because it is at a competative disadvantage (landlocked, few resources...). Option 2 is a revolution (oligarcks are not going to give up power volentarily)followed by some form of socialist government which will allow for a more normal distribution of wealth. The dangers of revolution for Armenia are huge because her enemies (turckish neighbors) will invariably take advantage of her internal struggles by attacking Artsagh and Armenia. The lack of a real solution to a extremly important problem points to what i have been saying all along that Armenia is a dependent state without the ability to sustain itself. The only reason why there is a Armenia today is because Russia needs us to be there. No dashnak wetdream can save Armenia if Russia should lose interest in her. Armenia would be better served under a socialist model because it would be easier for the diaspora to help without worrying as much about their donations being stolen. Under a capitalist system if you give free stuff to someone then you are hurting the business (oligarch) that is profiting off of selling that stuff. Naturaly the owners are not going to stand for such actions and this limits the diasporas ability to help. A socialist system can use diasporas help much more efficiently with more of the sent help reaching the targeted people and places without too many issues with conflict of interest. The situation looks pretty bleak-with the potential solutions being very risky. To say that emmigration is a real problem is a understatement and the solutions are unlikely to be implimentd. The diasporans can help Armenia best by forming personal connections with her. By going there and befriending its people we can make the personal connections which wil keep us going back and this is the best way we can help our country by bringing the armenian people closer togather. There are more Armenians outside Armenia then in it so just imagine how helpful it would be if we in the diaspora visited her on a regular bases. This personal connection will lead to further involvement of the diaspora with our homeland. Maybe some diasporans will want to eventualy set up busineses there or maybe they have enough money and want to live in Armenia,....there are many positive outcomes possible. The worst thing is to do what has been lately mentioned-setting up a legislature branch composed of diasporans who are going to be making laws they wont have to live with. Unfortunately the track record of the diaspora is horrid, it tends to choose the wrong options - then gets discouraged - then gives up - then does it all over again. While our diaspora has some financial clout it lacks the ability to form a effective solution to existing problems and this is what it needs to work on. Perhaps forming a personal bond between diasporans and Armenia will help in developing the insight and understanding both people need to work togather efficiently.

I love your post! Thanks a lot!
You highlight the devastating problems and try to find solution. I also find Diaspora - Armenia ( exactly first Diaspora) to be crucial in saving Armenia ( and themselves in the long run,since what is Diaspora without Motherland?) Lots is being done, there are many programs, projects, donations, etc. but nothing is being done to solve the root of the problem. Actually it is not even being identified...

I don't know what exactly should be done but I know the crucial help should come from Diaspora.

Maybe thousands, dozen of thousand and more Armenian businessmen get together, get themselves organised and open businesses in Armenia trying to take monopoly away from oligarchs. The evil is not only in oligarchs holding economic power, it is also oligarchs, their sons, brothers, relatives, neighbours,etc. committing crime all over the country and getting scot- free. Over and over.

If you remember there was an Armenian who moved from Armenia to USA and then started charity programs. There are videos with him on YouTube. Some time ago he was found brutally murdered in Yerevan. Police even without investigation, without catching killers announced that most likely the crime was committed by some street robbers. They knew perfectly well it was a big lie. And his family many times appealed to make fair investigation. It is not the first or last murder of the "opponents". And of course many from Diaspora will not even try to establish anything in Armenia. This major problem should be solved...

[arakeretzig]

Re: Current Condition of Armenia

I love your post! Thanks a lot!
You highlight the devastating problems and try to find solution. I also find Diaspora - Armenia ( exactly first Diaspora) to be crucial in saving Armenia ( and themselves in the long run,since what is Diaspora without Motherland?) Lots is being done, there are many programs, projects, donations, etc. but nothing is being done to solve the root of the problem. Actually it is not even being identified...

I don't know what exactly should be done but I know the crucial help should come from Diaspora.

Maybe thousands, dozen of thousand and more Armenian businessmen get together, get themselves organised and open businesses in Armenia trying to take monopoly away from oligarchs. The evil is not only in oligarchs holding economic power, it is also oligarchs, their sons, brothers, relatives, neighbours,etc. committing crime all over the country and getting scot- free. Over and over.

If you remember there was an Armenian who moved from Armenia to USA and then started charity programs. There are videos with him on YouTube. Some time ago he was found brutally murdered in Yerevan. Police even without investigation, without catching killers announced that most likely the crime was committed by some street robbers. They knew perfectly well it was a big lie. And his family many times appealed to make fair investigation. It is not the first or last murder of the "opponents". And of course many from Diaspora will not even try to establish anything in Armenia. This major problem should be solved...

At first i thought you had something to say, but now, you're just boring.

[Federate]

Re: Current Condition of Armenia

At first i thought you had something to say, but now, you're just boring.

Actually, her mentioning of the Armenian philanthropist is interesting. His name was Nazareth Berberian, this is his memorial website http://www.nazarethberberian.com/

California Armenian Businessman Found Dead in Armenia



A U.S. businessman of Armenian descent has been found dead in Armenia three weeks after disappearing in unclear circumstances.

Nazareth Berberian, 57, reportedly went missing after leaving his apartment in downtown Yerevan late on April 25. His car was found abandoned in the parking lot of the Zvartnots international airport, 10 kilometers south of the capital, several days later. Earlier this month, Berberian’s California-based wife and children promised a $250,000 reward for information about his whereabouts.

The Armenian police said at the weekend that they have found the businessman’s body bearing “traces of violence” in a ravine near a section of a highway 25 kilometers north of Yerevan.

In a written statement, the police indicated that they have already identified suspects in Berberian’s kidnapping and subsequent murder. “In the interests of the investigation, circumstances of the case and names of the perpetrators of the crime will not be disclosed [for now,]” the statement said. A source familiar with the investigation told RFE/RL that the police have already made at least one arrest.

A native of Armenia, Berberian moved back to the country in 1999 and engaged in a range of business activities there. His assets included a carpet factory in a village in the southern Ararat region. His Linareh company was also building a hotel in a prime location in central Yerevan.

“Friends and family have affirmed that Mr. Berberian has no known enemies and that he has been conducting business in Armenia since 1999 without any problem,” the Shahan Natalie Family Foundation, an Armenian-American charity, said in a statement released on behalf of them on May 7.

http://asbarez.com/62562/california-armenian-businessman-found-dead-in-armenia/

[KarotheGreat]

Re: Current Condition of Armenia

I love your post! Thanks a lot!
You highlight the devastating problems and try to find solution. I also find Diaspora - Armenia ( exactly first Diaspora) to be crucial in saving Armenia ( and themselves in the long run,since what is Diaspora without Motherland?) Lots is being done, there are many programs, projects, donations, etc. but nothing is being done to solve the root of the problem. Actually it is not even being identified...

I don't know what exactly should be done but I know the crucial help should come from Diaspora.

Maybe thousands, dozen of thousand and more Armenian businessmen get together, get themselves organised and open businesses in Armenia trying to take monopoly away from oligarchs. The evil is not only in oligarchs holding economic power, it is also oligarchs, their sons, brothers, relatives, neighbours,etc. committing crime all over the country and getting scot- free. Over and over.

If you remember there was an Armenian who moved from Armenia to USA and then started charity programs. There are videos with him on YouTube. Some time ago he was found brutally murdered in Yerevan. Police even without investigation, without catching killers announced that most likely the crime was committed by some street robbers. They knew perfectly well it was a big lie. And his family many times appealed to make fair investigation. It is not the first or last murder of the "opponents". And of course many from Diaspora will not even try to establish anything in Armenia. This major problem should be solved...

The oligarchs aren't the root of the problem but people like you who are the problem. Let me state why, because you don't understand what Armenia today is and how it works.
I talked to many people in Armenia and most people don't want any changes they just want money. If they had a choice between destroying the system that there is today and building up a system of economical freedom, a perfect competitive economy or keep the system that there is today but they are the ones with the money. Do you know what the majority will chose? They will chose for the later and that is where the problem is, the majority of the Armenian people are the problem.

Every Armenian, this is not only the rich and powerful but everyone, doesn't think that the law applies to them and they think that they can do whatever they want and act in any way they like. This can be seen in todays military as well, look at all the fights, the ill disciplined officers, the thugs who think they are tough guys and no rule applies to them. Those kind of people can be found in every country but today in Armenia, I don't how this has happened a huge portion of the youth is like this and before they can become soldiers they need to be broken. So why blame the rich for what the poor is doing as well, blame the whole society and teach them to follow the law. The Romans had very fun ways of doing that.

What I want to say is that Armenias problems are to complex to blame it on one segment of society, blame the whole society for the wrong doings because they all act the same way in their own right.

[Armanen]

Re: Current Condition of Armenia

The oligarchs aren't the root of the problem but people like you who are the problem. Let me state why, because you don't understand what Armenia today is and how it works.
I talked to many people in Armenia and most people don't want any changes they just want money. If they had a choice between destroying the system that there is today and building up a system of economical freedom, a perfect competitive economy or keep the system that there is today but they are the ones with the money. Do you know what the majority will chose? They will chose for the later and that is where the problem is, the majority of the Armenian people are the problem.

Every Armenian, this is not only the rich and powerful but everyone, doesn't think that the law applies to them and they think that they can do whatever they want and act in any way they like. This can be seen in todays military as well, look at all the fights, the ill disciplined officers, the thugs who think they are tough guys and no rule applies to them. Those kind of people can be found in every country but today in Armenia, I don't how this has happened a huge portion of the youth is like this and before they can become soldiers they need to be broken. So why blame the rich for what the poor is doing as well, blame the whole society and teach them to follow the law. The Romans had very fun ways of doing that.

What I want to say is that Armenias problems are to complex to blame it on one segment of society, blame the whole society for the wrong doings because they all act the same way in their own right.

Well said enker jan. This is what is meant when I and others state that Armenia needs to evolve. The evolution we speak of is not limited to political but also society at large and even on the religious/spiratual level as well. If society is immoral, lacks discipline and focus, then how can we expect the government to be any better? This is holistic question, it is not limited to something that can be fixed at one point or another, it requires serious efforts on the part of society, the Church, and the current government. The Diaspora has a large role to play in this as well, but so far not enough have committed to solving the overarching issue - societial change.

1000 years of arabic, islamic, turkic, and mongol overlordship will be tough to overcome in 20 or 30 years, but we can and must return to primordial roots.

[Mos]

Re: Current Condition of Armenia

1000 years of arabic, islamic, turkic, and mongol overlordship will be tough to overcome in 20 or 30 years, but we can and must return to primordial roots.

What does that have to do with anything? You think present day Armenians are affected by the overlords many cenutries ago? The only overlord that has direct influence on Armenians today is the Soviet Union.