Asbed Kotchikian is a PhD candidate in Political Science at Boston University and a visiting fellow at Cambridge University. He spent two years (2000-02) in Armenia and Georgia conducting research and teaching at local universities. His areas of interest include the post-Soviet South Caucasus and the Middle East, with a focus on foreign policy, political change and development.

This interview was conducted on 24 August 2005 in Yerevan, Republic of Armenia. It is part of continuing research for an article on the role of the Armenian Diaspora in democracy building in the Republic of Armenia.

ONNIK KRIKORIAN: Yesterday, there was a news report by RFE/RL’s Armenian Service saying that a prominent writer from the Diaspora called upon Armenian living outside of the republic to start engaging the government in the process of democracy building, respect for human rights and fighting against corruption. The same day, there was also an update on the continuing saga of Carolann Najarian who was defrauded in Armenia.

[…]

ASBED KOTCHIKIAN: Many people would say that the Diaspora has a role to play in Armenia. The main question is what is that role? Just to make things easier for you because you specifically ask about the role of the Diaspora in democracy building or developing and strengthening democracy in Armenia, yes, the Diaspora should have a role. However, the question after that is can the Diaspora take upon itself that role?

The World Bank and IMF provide money to developing countries and at the same time have certain requirements and obligations that the Armenian government needs to fulfill. However, the problem is that I don’t think the Diaspora has any collective institution with the right to demand such preconditions. That aside, you are also assuming that the Diaspora itself is democratic.

Many among the Diaspora might live in democratic countries, and as individuals they might consider themselves democratic, but as a collective mass, I don’t think that democracy is practiced in any institution. It is not practiced in the church, in political organizations or in other groups. So, we have this dichotomy. How can the Diaspora bring democracy to Armenia when the Diaspora itself is not democratic?

The full interview can be read online here.