Future of Azerbaijan or "Dutch disease" of soul

It has become fashionable to speak about Azerbaijan's infection with the notorious "Dutch disease" with the growth of the country's oil revenues.

Though "Dutch disease" is a complex macroeconomic event, relying on a number of factors, of which not all are present in Azerbaijan, ordinary people more often imply dependence on oil resources under the term "disease".

But I would like to speak not about economic issues, for even if we are able to prevent the infection in economy (which is possible) by the help of the thoroughly developed policy, its psychological and social elements are growing apparent.

Its most usual manifestation is a confidence that all issues and problems can be settled by means of only one component. In case of Azerbaijan, this component is frequently financial resources. So we come to believe that all problems can be settled quickly owing to money inflow to the country. Here, it is important to note that both growing economy and financial basis are important and irreplaceable aspects in the development of any system. Even so more, they create a basis for the resolution of key problems. But with all their importance, problems can not be settled by themselves, like any other component, by the way.

This is primarily attributed to comprehension and behavior within the society. For example, by constructing roads, the government creates a necessary transport basis, but these are citizens, who would drive cars in line with traffic rules. The same can be applied to education and defense. Scholarship is a good opportunity, but it is a student, who should study. Military technique does not win wars by itself, otherwise, Saudi Arabia will all its oil reserves would have had the strongest army, the highly educated people and through buying all western politicians and mass medias, would have been very popular in the world opinion. Well, one can manage to buy politicians and journalists periodically, but to top the limit is impossible.

We've also been witnesses of other cases when complex situations were simplified. Azerbaijan's neighbors in the Caucasus-Chechens, who attained incredible military progress in resisting Russian armed forces, decided that all problems can be settled by use of force. They think: if Moscow can be defeated by force, then everything can be achieved this way. Furthermore, seeing that faith helped the Chechen people survive unbearable sufferings, some leaders added extremal version of religion to their armory, while faith was gradually growing into self-confidence and impunity and the results are obvious.

The point is not an element, which leads to a definite version of socio-psychological "Dutch disease" but is that society ceases to notice the variety and complexity of the contemporary world system. It would be impossible to attain success in such a complex system by means of one, even the most comfortable component, even so more simplification occurs by means of other, frequently irreplaceable elements. Focus on military force leads to almost complete loss of all public institutions, except for specific training and campuses and the hope for salvation only by help of money brings the whole society to a banal market, where what can not be sold or bought immediately has no value. Indeed, what is a value of parks and gardens of the city if the only measure unit is the cost of a square meter in a new building? In this case, it would be senseless to recall difficulties in the creation of Baku's landscape in the early 20th century, when fruitful soil for plants was brought on ships, while the Caspian Sea, which has turned into a free waste house, is out of the question.

It all affects the culture even where Azerbaijanis have no rivals. The talent of Azerbaijani singers is apparent despite their desperate attempts to hide their voices under a thick layer of vulgar make-up and clothes. Striving for immediate maximal reward for low culture and taste shifts the values from vocal cords to other parts of the body.

For Azerbaijan such simplification is not necessary and we must escape it, as present day Azerbaijan has attained much owing to its wealthy, realistic and talented people. Fortunately, Azerbaijani society has always differed with its diversity and openness. It is necessary to be moderate in everything, as extremity, for example, fanatic religiousness or aggressive atheism, weakens the society. The same can be attributed to radical nationalism or careless attitude to people. We should learn from the history, rather than from our mistakes in such issues. One of such mistakes is rather an extreme self-confidence than periodical doubts about one's right.

The question whether Azerbaijan would remain independent is not urgent today. Today, the question is: what kind of a country will be left to future generations. If economic "Dutch disease" can be escaped, we must avoid other viruses too.

/Day.Az/