19 March 2024, Tuesday, 14:33
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Belarus Is Ruled By Villains

Belarus Is Ruled By Villains
Photo: AFP

Can removal of Lukashenka from power be done peacefully?

Since the Belarusian crisis is systemic, problems in the economy and governance are UNSOLVABLE through the existing model, as their resolution requires a radical change in the system, and such a radical change is possible only through a social upheavals.

Similarly as in the case when cancer patient becomes inoperable in the final stage of the disease, Belarusian authoritarian and dictatorial regime, that has already reached an irreversible stage of degradation, became incapable of reforming itself: any attempts to replace at least one link in this rotten system will inevitably lead to the collapse of the whole structure, while, at the same time, the need for self-preservation of the regime for a variety of reasons has only grown in recent years.

This is a vicious circle – the system changes are impossible without social upheavals, while the lack of such system changes makes social upheavals inevitable.

As one author wrote: “They will continue to stay in power and govern the country to its ultimate, destructive consequences. They will, so to speak, procrastinate their undoubtedly deserved judgment as long as possible...”

Therefore, in today’s Belarusian reality, it makes no sense to call on the „Lukashenka and Co” to be conscientious, wise and accountable for the country's future. Pavel Usov believes that “Belarusian nomenclature is not concerned about the moral choice: to kill or not to kill? For those who are ruling the country, power is above morality and human life”.

We still want to hope and believe that Belarus is not Africa, with its permanent dictatorships and dictators (sometimes cannibals), overthrown, usually, only through bloody coups.

It's bad enough that we are disgraced in front of the whole world due to the 22-year existence of the unenlightened, cynical Belarusian dictatorship in the heart of Europe.

Even for this reason, we should strive to get rid of Lukashenka and Co. in a civilized manner, i.e. peacefully, bloodlessly, quickly, in a Christian way, so we could show the world that the Belarusians – is still a European nation.

It would have been possible if the democratic forces and the people could finally have a hope that at least a small number of people in power have conscience, wisdom, responsibility, courage and are ready to act.

Recently, I wrote on my Facebook page an appeal to the senior officials of our state, where, in particular, I said:

“Dear government officials, those of you, who are aware of the futility and hopelessness of the Belarusian authoritarian system and its author, who have a conscience and a sense of responsibility for the future of the country – look at the truth and help the country to get out of this “degradation swamp”. You know best that tomorrow may be too late”.

I was struck by the reaction of many to this modest initiative of mine: from fierce hatred and suspicion that I secretly work for government authorities, to skepticism and a complete rejection that the government officials have at least slightest principles of morality and ethics.

“Why do you make us laugh by saying “a hope for conscience, wisdom, responsibility and courage of people in power... These people will never give up power peacefully, never, these hopes are in vain!”

„In the Belarusian reality, the power can belong only to those who are easily lying, hurting or even killing their rivals and, at the same time, can sleep excellently. In the countries of the Soviet rules – this is a norm. Morally healthy people cannot pass through the wheels of the 'system' – they stumble over their conscience...”

It is, of course, terrible to read this, but, in fact, all these judgments have some truth.

Indeed, in a country that is ruled by rascals, there are no working mechanisms, through which the society could influence the power, convey their will or displace the governance in a peaceful way.

They say that there is almost no point in trying to persuade scoundrels to be conscientious, wise and compliant with the law.

A thirst for power and luxury life – these are the laws by which authoritarian rulers and their surroundings live. In their reign, they, as a rule, do not think of a long-term consequences.

If power belonged to such people (all the same it is possible!), who understand the hopelessness, exhaustion of the system and are ready to act on the good of the country and dismantle Lukashenka’s obsolete regime in an effective, peaceful, bloodless way – IT WOULD BE THE BEST WAY FOR BELARUS TO SOLVE ITS CURRENT DANGEROUS CONTRADICTIONS OF SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL CHARACTER!

In authoritarian states, the percentage of honest and principled people is always catastrophically low. First of all, because authoritarian rulers, seeing a direct threat to their power in such people, get rid of them.

Authoritarian government spares no effort to ensure that the society remains gray and faceless and outstanding people do not appear at all.

By means of constant intimidation, authoritarian state forces and teaches most of the people to adapt and match to the system, while abandoning their own principles and ideas.

Work of the entire system, called “Lukashenka's state”, was aimed at the formation of the unscrupulous, deceitful and at the same time cowardly people – same scoundrels as in power, because it is much easier to govern scoundrels.

The tragedy is that violence over the morality and truth is always observed in tough authoritarian and dictatorial systems, where the majority of citizens do not recognize these concepts and prefer to abandon the truth and principles and sit quietly, as it is it is easier, more convenient and safer.

I remember the unfinished novel “Conspiracy of the Indifferent” by the Polish writer Bruno Jasieński, who was killed during the Stalinist repression. The novel did not become widely known, as opposed to its epigraph:

“Do not fear your enemies. The worst they can do is kill you. Do not fear friends. At worst, they may betray you. Fear those who do not care; they neither kill nor betray, but betrayal and murder exist because of their silent consent.”

And yet we must hope, that only by appealing to conscience of people, especially of those in power, we can organize and peacefully implement the change of the situation in Belarus for the better. And we cannot ignore this even minor possibility.

It is very important for all of us to understand that there is no chance that a political or social breakthrough, post-industrial innovation, technological development, national revival will happen if Belarusians will remain to be so suppressed socio-politically, ethno-culturally and spiritually.

All of this is happening against the background of mental suppression, stagnation and poverty of thought, peculiar to the leadership of the ignorant, rough and uneducated authoritarian Belarusian regime, which gave rise and persistently support current state of Belarus for 22 years.

Creative (imaginative, unconventional, constructive) ideas in our society are not in full swing. And, I think, not only because they are forbidden, but also because there is no one who can formulate such ideas. It becomes more noticeable with each year – most people in the power are loyal and even, in their own way, devoted (for the sake of themselves), but, unfortunately, they are far, far away from being artistic, creative or spiritually advanced.

It is time to expand the “range of permitted things”, to expand the horizon of social thought – by deepening, refreshing and renewing this very idea, even through the expansion of the range of people involved in its formulation. We need new ideas and new meanings.

Our country lacks transparency and atmosphere imbued with the spirit of freedom, truth and justice. The main problem of any overly authoritarian, closed system is that the same mistakes are constantly repeated there. And there is no way to fix them, until something dramatic happens.

Will Lukashenka leave or not ...? Most of us answer that he will not. In the end, that's his business, but from our side... as they say, „we can suggest, you may refuse”.

But a very urgent, necessary and mandatory task now is to remind him and the whole society that he had stayed in power for too long, made too many mistakes, plunged the country into poverty, hopelessness and lie, that he is now out of touch with the facts on the ground and everyone is “fed up to the back teeth with him”.

After all, many people are still thinking (subconsciously?): “Everyone is, of course, fed up with him, but he will not go anywhere, he will stay there for a long time”. This is very wrong and harmful. And how many of such people nowadays! That’s such a pity...

It is necessary to remove from our sub-consciousness the nonsense: “He will not go anywhere, he is there for a long time”. How can we get rid of such thoughts? Well, at least through frequent repetitions: “His time is up, he leaves. He has done too much evil!”

In fact, Belarusian authorities always act like this for their own bad-intended purposes without even trying to rationalize the basis for their acts.

Long existence of the authoritarian regime severely undermines the forces of society. This leads to the fact that, by the time of the power shift, the society has a very exhausted and sick “social organism”, which, in vain search for drugs, can easily become a victim of new charlatans.

Apparently, it does not matter whether we like it or not, but “Square” – is the only reliable mechanism for change in the political situation of the country with the authoritarian regime, that operates there for a too long time.

Unfortunately, street confrontation with the authoritarian power never happens without sacrifice and suffering. Even the “round tables” and “dialogues” were originally preceded by street confrontations.

And if Belarusians are lucky enough to finally have knowledgeable and experienced “doctors” in power, it will be possible to avoid social revolt and subsequent upheavals. And if not – then RIOT ghost will be hanging over our heads for a long time.

Pavel Usov notes that we should fear the Square in such cases, if those who are calling for it do not know what to do next. By just standing, walking and clapping, we will not receive any results and the government will not be frightened even if 100 thousand people gather in the square.

We should fear the Square if there is no solidarity in the society and the protest of a small group does not turn into a nationwide protest, i.e. when problems of entrepreneurs, students or workers are not perceived as a universal, national problem. Of course, local riots, protests, actions and failed revolution can lit a spark, but no flame is kindled without mobilization and solidarity of the whole society. But, unfortunately, in our country, every man is for himself.

Therefore, under the dominance of the collective selfishness in society, we cannot expect that someone would sacrifice themselves for the sake of the bright future of others. But even if there are such people, where and how should they sacrifice their lives so that the whole country will benefit?

Mikhail Kadyrov, especially for belaruspartisan.org

Mikhail Kadyrov was born in 1951 in Yelsk, Gomel Region, Belarus. He graduated from the Belarusian Agricultural Academy with honors in the field of Agronomy. Doctor of Agricultural Science, professor, laureate of the State Prize in Science and Technology, Academician of the Ukrainian National Academy of Sciences, a member of the Higher Attestation Commission and a member of the “council of the republic” of the 2nd convocation. Creator of more than 20 varieties of Belarusian barley. Mikhail Kadyrov has 17 patents for inventions. He has written approximately 300 publications and 5 books. He worked as a director of the Republican Unitary Enterprise “The Scientific and Practical Center of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus for Arable Farming”.

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