We’re at the onset of a new year, a (cautiously-optimistic) “new Armenia,” and a new (33rd) Armenian Revolutionary Federation World Congress.
The date for this quadrennial (roughly) assembly has shifted a couple of times, most recently to mid-January, because of the Republic of Armenia’s (RoA) December 9 snap elections. It could well become one of the turning points in the organization’s more than quasquicentennial history.
In case readers don’t know, I’m a member of the ARF. So, I figured I’d chime in a little bit on what I think ought to be addressed at the big meeting. It will also bring in the English-reading segment of our community, since most of these discussions occur in Armenian, and the only other item I’m aware of in English on this issue is Haig Kayserian’s recent commentary, “A Renewed ARF Can Help Build Democracy in New Armenia.”
The particular niche I want to focus on is the party’s image and public relations in the context of how we approach our work, which also ties into how we perceive ourselves and based on that, how we choose to function in the varied settings we find ourselves in. This will not be a discussion of ideology or particular policy prescriptions, rather the WAY by which to implement them.
Historically, the ARF has not been very good at “selling” ourselves, relying on the power of our good works to speak for us. Unfortunately, in the world created post-World War II, this is insufficient (watch part one of the BBC series, “Century of the Self” if you have any doubt about this). Advertising and marketing strategies have been widely studied; word of mouth coupled with, at best, a news item or two spread among our constituency just doesn’t work anymore. This is even more true in the ARF’s newest operational setting, the RoA.
Over the past quarter century, we have conducted and heard many analyses regarding the support anticipated for ARF candidates fielded in a RoA election. Yet, somehow, the anticipated results never materialize. This is not for lack of preparation and effort, though sometimes the party’s campaigning and electioneering have seemed to be less than maximal compared to some of the efforts made in various countries of the Diaspora. The internally disseminated rationales often seem utterly logical, possibly even flawless, before elections. Yet, the results don’t match anticipations.
Why?
There is resistance, quite understandably, to basing organizational practices and actions on the consideration of our image in post-Soviet times ON THE GROUND, in the Republic of Armenia. After decades of anti-ARF propaganda and only a vague, quasi-legendary, memory of our productive, people-centered and state building efforts of a century ago, it comes as no surprise to anyone that the ARF has encountered serious difficulties at making progress re-rooting among the country’s population in the three decades since we “returned” home. Perhaps as a result of this difficulty, our efforts have been heavily focused on the electoral-political arena, in effect pursuing “change from above” rather than the more onerous, time-consuming, and (in light of the aforementioned propaganda) far more difficult route that runs through grassroots organizing.
Some progress was made via this approach, but the ARF was significantly handicapped by the absence of sufficient grassroots clout to back up its parliamentary/legislative efforts. Consequently it was tactically “obliged” to form coalitions with the oligarchic administrations to enact desirable legislation or attempt to prevent the passage of bad laws. The best example is probably constitutional reform. It took a quarter century, but finally a parliamentary rather than presidential system was put in place, something the ARF had advocated from the very beginning of the creation of the third Armenian republic. Of course, that happened because the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), specifically former President Serzh Sargsyan, saw it as a means of perpetuating his hold on power after he otherwise would have been term-limited out of office. What no one has noticed is the irony that followed. Had Sargsyan not gone back on his promise not to seek the prime minister position after his presidency, the political moment would likely not have been created for the street movement led by Nikol Pashinyan to take hold. So the much criticized ARF was actually the enabler of the spring 2018 uprising in the RoA.
Another consideration is that historically, the ARF has functioned in a defensive (para-military), ideological, quasi-governmental, or revolutionary context, and not an electoral-political one, with the exception of the short lived periods of Ottoman constitutionalism and the first Armenian republic (our electoral work in numerous countries of the Diaspora is very different from being an actual political party in one’s own home country). This factor may well have affected our decisions in subtle and not easily perceptible ways.
A third, and this time positive, aspect to consider is made evident through two examples. The ARF consistently does better in Artsakh’s elections than in the RoA. I think that is because the party is much more grassroots there, perforce, stemming from its key role in the early days of the military part of the struggle for Artsakh’s liberation. People naturally know and remember this. The answer to “what have you done for me lately” is obvious. The other example (reported only in Armenian to my knowledge) comes from the December 9 snap elections’ results in Keghamavan/Geghamavan. There, Ishkhan Saghatelian, running on the ARF’s ticket, trounced “My Step” (Nikol Pashinyan’s grouping). Of 884 votes cast, he got 664 to My Step’s 185 and Prosperous Armenia Party’s 11. How did this happen? It was because the people of that community knew and recognized Saghatelian and the work of the ARF and voted for what they knew to be good.
This is all grist for the World Congress’s mill. The ARF must contend with the reality of the ongoing impacts of Soviet, foreign power, and some local/current anti-ARF propaganda. It is now paying the electoral political price for cooperation with the (RPA). Proof of electoral success based on grassroots work exists. The reality of people’s behavior (electoral and otherwise) being based on perceptions/image coupled with marketing/advertising/propaganda is undeniable and fiercely real. What should the World Congress do with all this?
When formulating resolutions on the path forward, the two guide rails for ANY decision should be the following questions: “How will this be perceived in our current reality and how might it be twisted and misrepresented by our opponents?” and “Will people see this as something the ARF is doing for their benefit?” Upon adjournment of the World Congress, work should begin on whatever policies are prioritized for the RoA, but focused where the best (not necessarily the quickest) results can be achieved for the people. My guess is this will be outside of Yerevan. In smaller cities, towns and villages, a more intimate working relationship between party and people can be created. Then, when the good results come in, voting support will follow. Later, the same approach can be implemented in Yerevan, one neighborhood at a time.
Especially if, as some have argued, there is a consistent (if not concerted) effort to denigrate the ARF by foreign (and some domestic) interests, then it is all the more important to work at the grassroots level with people. Building trust, one person at a time, can easily blunt, if not totally deflect, that kind of venom directed at the ARF.
Let’s go for those grassroots.
Garen Yegparian
Latest posts by Garen Yegparian (see all)
- Drones for Armenia - November 15, 2022
- So Sad, Too Far Gone - November 7, 2022
- Pomposity to Mask Ineptitude - October 31, 2022
Garen, well said. The hard work at the grassroots LEVEL should begin now. Annie
First, and most importantly, I congratulate Garen for slipping in the word quasquicentennial.
Second, Garen writes that the ARF “was tactically ‘obliged’ to form coalitions with the oligarchic administrations to enact desirable legislation or attempt to prevent the passage of bad laws.” Unless the World Congress understands that joining, rejoining, and maintaining such coalitions was a moral and strategic error, no amount of outreach is going to burnish the party’s image.
Garen cites constitutional reforms supported by the ARF as an example of “desirable legislation.” But he acknowledges that the reforms–which turned out to be essential to the smooth transition of power away from Sargsyan–were enacted because Sargsyan wanted to perpetuate his power, not because of the ARF cozying up to him. The desirable reform was NOT a result of coalition building.
If the World Congress wants to open up a path toward future success, it cannot accept feeble justifications for past decisions; certainly no one outside the ARF will accept them. Cozying up did NOT enhance national security. Cozying up did NOT make Armenia’s economy stronger. Cozying up did NOT lead to better laws. It did NOT prevent the passage of bad laws.
Kocharian and Sargsyan had no need the ARF’s support. They invited the ARF to join coalition governments in order to compromise the party and eliminate it as an alternative. They were evidently successful.
Only if the World Congress is ruthless in its assessment of past decisions, may it have a chance to help forge a future for the party.
If the Big Dance (world congress) comes to a conclusion that organizational change is needed and creates a framework , that is a significant first step.
W. congress can do no more in that brief time.
Then, they can create a committee to gather information, evaluate, and come up with progressive recommendations to be evaluated, analyzed, etc at another WC in 2 years. All aimed at re-defining the party approach and platform.
If the meeting is business as usual, the aghoump/herahank mentality lives on.
Changing a Bureau is no answer, that is a personality game.
ARF needs a re-do, not a touch up.
Change in strategy was required when independence arrived and we saw no change.
All these 27 years,continued perpetuation of the past( add the touch of entitlement to govern because of 100 plus years of existence ) has apparently annoyed the population.
Nothing will change.