Interview with Fellow Magda Arsenyan
Name: Magda Arsenyan
Country: Armenia
Degree: MA in Public Administration
Academic discipline: Political Science
Specialisation: Political Processes and Institutions
Topic of the doctoral thesis: Preconditions for the Establishment of Parliamentary Culture in Armenia
How would you explain the topic of your dissertation to a non-expert in the field? Talking to a non-expert, I would bring up a synonym of “parliamentary culture” – namely the “nationwide dialogue” between state and society. We all have our own role in the establishment and further development of that constructive dialogue. Parliamentary culture reflects not only the behaviour of political actors, but also the mentality of civil society. It illustrates the ability of state and society to listen to each other and the political will to achieve a compromise.
I am writing a doctoral thesis because my topic is directly linked to the political processes that are taking place in Armenia at the moment. As a result of the referendum on constitutional reforms in 2015, the Republic of Armenia is moving from a semi-presidential to a parliamentary system of government. This new stage in the history of Armenia brings different challenges. The scientific innovation of the topic lies in researching an unprecedented transformation process: the establishment of a parliamentary culture. Society has to perceive the parliament not only as a legislative body, but as a supreme state, legal and political institute. The parliamentary culture reflects the political consciousness of the state. The formation of the parliamentary culture should be an opportunity to balance public supply and demand as well as the legal and social policy conducted by the state. In consequence, a dialogue between state and society has to be established based not on continuing internal political conflicts, but rather on mutual trust, understanding and compromise.
What are your expectations from the EUCACIS programme? I expect to gain a lot of knowledge and to get the opportunity to cooperate with highly qualified professors, with whose support I will become an expert in my field of specialisation.
In ten years, I see myself as an official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia.
If I was not doing a PhD right now, I would choose the business sector and establish a company which would organise different kinds of events in Armenia and abroad. That would offer an opportunity to be part of different cultures, bring new acquaintances and also a new mentality. One would get the chance to create a cultural movement in everyday life.