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Perspective Democracy One More Chance: Yerevan Elections
Perspective Democracy One More Chance: Yerevan Elections
One More Chance: Yerevan Elections
Saturday, 30 May 2009 12:16 | by Salpi Ghazarian | 
| Civilitas Perspective / Democracy |
May 31 is the date that marks the first constitutional opportunity to popularly elect the leadership of Yerevan, home to nearly half of Armenia's population.
This is history-in-the-making for two reasons: Not only does the electorate have a chance to decide who best represents their vision for their city; but, inarguably more important for Armenians at this time, the political forces have a chance to decide whether they trust the people to make such a decision.
Elections are not the only standard by which to judge a democracy. But certainly they are an indispensable standard. These are not theoretical political concepts. This means -- are we determined that we can and will become a country where the people choose who governs them, and where those who govern feel accountable to the people? That's the simple question which each election forces us to ask.
The question is even more urgent today. The Yerevan city elections come just a year after a cynical presidential election and a disastrous follow-up. The ensuing political climate -- from paralyzing polarization to hopeless apathy -- has impacted individual lives and our collective future.
The Yerevan city elections offer a remedial opportunity, a chance to regain faith in ourselves and those who live with us, those who purport to govern us, those who wish to lead us. It's hard to say who bears the greatest burden in this formula. But certainly, the responsibility is on those in power and wishing to attain power.
This is history-in-the-making for two reasons: Not only does the electorate have a chance to decide who best represents their vision for their city; but, inarguably more important for Armenians at this time, the political forces have a chance to decide whether they trust the people to make such a decision.
Elections are not the only standard by which to judge a democracy. But certainly they are an indispensable standard. These are not theoretical political concepts. This means -- are we determined that we can and will become a country where the people choose who governs them, and where those who govern feel accountable to the people? That's the simple question which each election forces us to ask.
The question is even more urgent today. The Yerevan city elections come just a year after a cynical presidential election and a disastrous follow-up. The ensuing political climate -- from paralyzing polarization to hopeless apathy -- has impacted individual lives and our collective future.
The Yerevan city elections offer a remedial opportunity, a chance to regain faith in ourselves and those who live with us, those who purport to govern us, those who wish to lead us. It's hard to say who bears the greatest burden in this formula. But certainly, the responsibility is on those in power and wishing to attain power.
Our last question was, "Which spheres require urgent reforms?" We suggested a few spheres to focus on: the political system, the economic system, the judicial system, education and mass media. Typically, we receive a similar distribution of answers on both the Armenian and English Civilitas sites.
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