Roundtable: "Liberalism and settlement of conflicts"

"Demystifying the post-Soviet mentality: liberalism and conflict resolution," was the topic of a roundtable organized by the Centre  of National and International Studies (CNIS.)

The participants noted the lack of progress in resolving the conflicts in the former Soviet Union, which emerged in the Soviet Union's collapse. There was a need for the new approaches to conflict resolution,  and  was noted the view that non-democratic regimes have a negative impact on the peace settlement. But democracy is not just elections, but  also the formation of stable institutions, providing equal rights, free and open debate, said the head of  the CNIS, L.Aliyeva.

Tolerance, inclusiveness  and equality of rights of all people - these are the three pillars on which liberal freedoms are based.  Accession of these values extends narrow self-identification of citizens belonging to national affiliation to a global community. As an example, she noted the Scandinavian countries.

According to Gia Nodia  from  the  Ilia University of Georgia, liberalism is not able to settle all the ethnic conflicts. "After the in Georgia in 2008 it became clear that the conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia can not be achieved by any arrangement between the U.S. and Russia",  said Nodia. But liberalism can prevent new conflicts. "Liberalism teaches a rational and pragmatic thinking and understanding and respect for the rights and interests of others, eliminating ground for conflict," said Nodia.

Azerbaijani philosopher Rahman Badalov believes that one of the reasons for not settling the Karabakh conflict is the lack of real negotiations. In his view, the parties negotiate to show it the third forces.

Negotiations then can become effective if to leave aside the national and historical arguments. At least, in this way  a dialogue can begin between the intellectual elite.

Nikolai Rozov from the Institute of Philosophy and Law of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, said that in the settlement of conflicts in the post-Soviet space  it is necessary to overcome the stereotype of "native and vicious enemies." Way to settle can pass through someone else's values of respect for human dignity.—06D-