«Dashnaktsutyun is a socialist party» Arthur Khachatryan answers our questions
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| Arthur Khachatryan |
Few days ago we have sent a series of questions to various political figures involved in the Armenian election campaign for the early renewal of the Armenian parliament.
We have thus continued our round of interviews with pre-election interviews with which we wish to give voice to the largest number of political forces in the field in Armenia.
The quickest response came from Arthur Khachatryan, a member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation. Before May 2018 he was Governor (Marzpet) of the Shirak Region, and from May to October he was Minister of Agriculture of the Government led by the varchapet Nikol Pashinyan.
We are very pleased with your answers because the Federation or Dashnaktsutyun has been a point of reference for almost one hundred and thirty years in the Armenian Diaspora even before the Genocide. Most of the noblest and most courageous minds, the most enlightened political and cultural figures of the Armenian world between the 1800s and the 1900s belonged to this glorious party, among them diplomats, intellectuals and all those who cared about the state and independence. of the Armenian nation.
We also remember that our city of Bari and the village "Nor Araks" were visited in June 1927 by a leader of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, the only political movement ever to take care of the post-genocidal Diaspora. In that case it was Dr. Sembat Eliazarian. The poet Nazariantz he talks about his visit in some letters.
There are many topics we would like to discuss with our interlocutor who appears to be very well prepared in the historical, philosophical, political and economic fields. We limit ourselves, so as not to seem too biased, even if our heart moves it in a march on the notes of Մշակ բանվոր, ռենչպեր ախպեր.
1) How did Dashnaktsutyun change after your experience in Pashinyan's government?
ARF Dashnaktsutyun is a well-established party with 128 years of glorious history. We have our political goals our programme that does not change depending whether we are in power or in opposition. Being in power gives you instruments to achieve your goals, but it does not change your long-term goals.
Indeed, this does not mean that shorter term tasks are the same at any point in time. Pashinyan’s government was formed as an interim government that emerged after the popular movement/peaceful revolution in Armenia. My personal opinion is that the major mission of this Government was preparing the country for free, fair and competitive elections. The cabinet also started new reforms but six months is a way too short time horizon to see the results of these reforms.
2) What are the priorities of Dashnaktsutyun's political agenda?
Dashnaktsutyun is a socialist party, a full member of Socialist International. We are the only significant political power with leftist orientation. Social welfare state is our goal. For us social justice is a major political agenda. Unlike other right wing parties we care not only about how national product is formed but also how it is distributed amongst the people, the ones who’ve contributed to the creation of the wealth of the nation. We stress the importance of the state as the guarantor of social safety and security of vulnerable layers of the society. The state shall not limit its power to passive market regulator. It shall have powerful tools to eliminate market failures and to spearhead economic growth if the private sector fails or is not enough to do so.
Besides, we are very strong on Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh Republic). Sooner or later it shall unite with Armenia. Independent status is an interim solution. We will never agree with any legal status of Artsakh that will leave it within Azerbaijan. Our motto is “Develop without giving in”.
We are also the main champion of the Armenian Cause – recognize, condemn and compensate for the Armenian Genocide.
3) How does Dashnaktsutyun want to tackle contemporary problems in Armenia?
This question is partly answered in point 2 of this questionnaire. We will increase the role of the state, improve the public services, effectively apply antitrust measures, create conducive environment for SME development, pay higher attention to sustainable development/environmental management, invest intensively in science, education and healthcare, develop set of measures to support local agriculture.
4) Is Dashnaktsutyun still a Social Democratic party? What can Social Democracy mean in Armenia today?
Dashnaktsutyun is a socialist party. We advocate for social welfare state. In nutshell this means: 1) state protection of disadvantaged groups, 2) protection of consumer rights, 3) effective anti-monopoly measures, 4) SME development, 5) progressive taxation.
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| Simon Vratsian (2 June, 1882 - 21 May, 1969) |
Revolution in the times when Dashnaktsutyun was established referred to Armenians’ uprising against Turkish state and creation of independent Armenia.
6) What feelings does a Federation leader feel when the words are used inappropriately: Marxism, populism, anarchism?
Neither anarchism nor social-populism is a common term in Armenian political vocabulary. However, we still have to explain what is the difference between social democracy and communism (or Soviet Socialism). We advocate for social welfare state and fair distribution of national wealth. Unlike communism we never claim that all property and productions means shall belong to the state.
7) Is there a leader of your party from the past that you would like to have by your side?
Simon Vratsyan!
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