Political analyst: Uncertainty filled with Hope differs fundamentally  from uncertainty filled with despair

ArmInfo.  Uncertainty driven by hope is fundamentally different from uncertainty plagued by  despair, as noted by Vahe Hovhannisyan, a member of the Alternative  Projects Group, in his recent article when commenting on the upcoming  36th anniversary of Armenia's Declaration of Independence.

Reflecting on the adoption of the historic document by the Supreme  Council 36 years ago, Hovhannisyan noted that it was crafted largely  by educated, patriotic, yet politically inexperienced figures from  diverse backgrounds who achieved a broad consensus. However, he  contrasted that founding era with the present day, where discussions  often center on severe national challenges, territorial shifts, and  fundamental existential questions. "There is no similarity between  today and those days 36 years ago. Perhaps only uncertainty is  similar. But uncertainty sanctified by hope is fundamentally  different from uncertainty marked by despair," the analyst  emphasized.

Hovhannisyan argued that Armenia today requires post-war  reconstruction, national revival, and a forward- looking strategic  document to guide the nation through the realities of the coming  decades. He stressed that such a framework must define national  goals, rules of coexistence, and economic models, serving as a  subject of serious public and state discourse rather than replacing  the foundational Declaration of Independence.

"Unfortunately, we have neither those who would discuss this, nor a  truly good education as an internal public atmosphere. We are talking  about a strategic concept that will define our state and national  goals, problems, the rules of coexistence between Armenia and the  Armenian world, our understanding of ourselves and our neighbors,  with a new perception of economic models and allies. This is  precisely what should have been the subject of discussion in our  statecraft debates, within the framework of good education. The  restoration of states after war and severe defeats is not a chaotic  process. States are restored through serious post-war reconstruction  programs," the political scientist emphasized. 

He added that drafting a national strategic document faces two main  hurdles. First, the question arises: who should adopt it? The current  National Assembly lacks the necessary public standing, and no other  authoritative format exists. Second, adopting a new document requires  an atmosphere of internal solidarity.  "Ultimately, we must find the  courage to admit that Armenian territories and the Armenian  population in this region have been steadily shrinking over the past  100 years. This is the most telling fact about us. We must have the  courage and the wisdom to understand the causes and find steps to  halt this process," the political analyst emphasized.

"Will we do this? Will we achieve this? I do not know. We haven't  even had the courage to speak out openly and give a sound assessment  of our shared 36-year journey—a path we all walked together.  Denying  those 36 years is a grave mistake, just as idealizing them is wrong.  Thirty-six years ago, political and progressive thought was largely  centered in the National Assembly. Today, it is mostly behind bars or  under house arrest—or withdrawn into itself out of a sense of  helplessness, which is little different from prison. Entering the  next phase of Armenia's life in such an unhealthy state means  condemning ourselves to self-destruction, and there is no morality in  that process.  Today, we must find the forces and the platforms to  initiate this discussion and spark a renewal of political thought.  This is largely a matter of self-defense, and only public dialogue  can serve as a genuine internal guarantee for Armenia's future  development," the analyst concluded.