Inside Armenia
Land-locked Armenia has had a long history but as a nation state it is rather new. Armenia declared its independence from the USSR in 1991. Left with a legacy of 70 years of Soviet rule, corruption is rampant. The adoption of neoliberalism by elites, as in other countries, has produced massive inequality. Oligarchs dominate the state and the economy. Unregulated mining is causing environmental damage. Water supplies are privatized. The state-run world-famous cognac factory was sold for peanuts to a French conglomerate. Quality health care, extremely expensive, is available for the rich. Education? More of the same. The major media are stenographers to power. Patriarchy and misogyny persist. Gender bias runs deep. Women are seen as child producers for the defense of the nation. Some Armenians, fed up with injustice, leave the country. Others, like Anna Shahnazaryan stay and resist.
Interviewed by David Barsamian.
Speaker
Anna Shahnazaryan
Anna Shahnazaryan is an environmental activist and a feminist based in Yerevan, Armenia.
Ramana in Vancouver –
I really enjoyed and learnt from the excellent interview with Anna Shahnazaryan you had on AR. I was also impressed with both how articulate she was and the clarity of her analysis.
Robert Manenti –
Anna Shahnazaryan, remarkable passionate intelligent speaker!
The microcosm explanation of Armenia present situation and its
place in the world as new colonial oppressed nation was sad but
powerfully revealing. Question? Is there a book by her?
Aram Saroyan –
Anna Shahnazaryan is an extraordinary explicator of the late phase oligarchic capitalism we see in Armenia today—just as we see it in America.
Sergio –
A heartbreaking eye opening.
Rupen –
Amazing stuff. I really enjoyed it and I think it will start a lot of important conversations.
Anahid –
The informed, considered questions you ask are every bit as interesting to me as are her answers.