Regarding clan-based societies, I read this statement recently about Iraq and problems of democracy:
“The grand compromise model would be appropriate if Iraq were a Western country living in the shadow of the Magna Carta. But Iraq is not that kind of country. As Philip Carl Salzman argues in “Culture and Conflict in the Middle East”, many Middle Eastern societies are tribal. The most salient structure is the local lineage group. National leaders do not make giant sacrifices on behalf of the nation because their higher loyalty is to the sect or clan. Order is achieved not by the top-down imposition of abstract law. Instead, order is achieved through fluid balance of power agreements between local groups.” Sounds too familiar, doesn’t it?

I have thoughts on the bribing system, but maybe will write something myself before too long (hard to find time when you aren’t paid by anybody, huh?)

Regarding the minibuses, someday you should read Orhan Pamuk’s novel “The New Life”…

Probably, what I’d like to see is that all groups — including environmental (as motoring is a polluter as well as a safety hazard) — continue to engage in such action on weekly basis until people start to think.

Other ideas I think need to change. GIven the deaths that occur from time to time when an unsafe and over-crowded mini-bus crashes, I’d like citizens who take public transport refuse to get on these death traps and tell the driver why so everyone onboard can hear.

I’ve already decided to wait or even walk to my destination rather than get on board these minibus lines which are often controlled by corrupt officials. Unfortunately, most people get on board even if they are actually behaving as if third-class citizens and even if they are putting themselves, others and also children at risk.

Time to clean up this country, but things can even be done without having to think about “revolutions.” A revolution can even be in the mindset of an individual in how they live their lives. It also means that society as a whole can become guided by the “rule of law” which in turn puts a certain amount of valid pressure on the authorities to crack down on illegalities.

Instead, society is anarchic, lawless, and even sees violence as a way to resolve disputes. But rather than tackle the issue now, civil society waits until the time of elections when it is funded to go and preach about not taking bribes for their votes to many among the electorate who can’t comprehend some of the most basic principles of what living in a democratic and rule of law state actually means.

Let’s change it now, and let’s also start with ourselves. Bringing it back to reckless driving and jaywalking, when I was in Budapest recently I understand why Hungary is Eastern Europe and Armenia is nowhere even close. Citizens there crossed the roads legally and car drivers gave way.

Although driving was dangerous on the open roads leading into the city, I understood that unless the mindset is changed here, Armenia will never be a rule of law country and is decades away from getting even close to where Hungary is today.

Anyway, the post in question on trash in Azerbaijan is at:

http://poliscimedia.blogspot.com/2008/08/litter-and-collective-action.html

Incidentally, I agree that education is key which is why it will take generations to change attitudes. Even now, people would rather throw their trash away anywhere than walk a few meters to actually deposit it in a rubbish bin.

Thankfully, we have such bins in Yerevan, but people still decide to chuck crap out of car windows or while walking on the streets. On the other hand, there is the issue of enforcement of the law, fines, and also garbage collection in the case of the environment.

As for your “me” instead of “us” comment, I totally agree.

This is the prevalent attitude in society here, although I’d say that “me” also includes immediate relatives and close friends — effective “clans.”

Nevertheless, another example as one student highlighted to me a few years ago.

Go into any Armenian apartment and almost without exception (apart from those living in extreme poverty), homes are spotless.

Then look at how the same people litter outside the apartment or throw garbage on the streets or in the countryside. There’s no sense of citizenship or belonging and that too desperately needs to change.

http://armyouth.blogspot.com/2006/10/movement-of-bicycles-and-pedestrians.html

More info on HENQ can also be found at:

http://inchkachka.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=1&id=101&Itemid=2

Interestingly, the “thoughts on the road” blog today did an article on the trash problems in Azerbaijan, another all-too-familiar-sounding parallel with its neighbor, Armenia. Wouldn’t it be great if instead of a military contest, the two countries could have a civil society and rule of law contest? One can dream, I guess…