The Soviet Union collapsed 20 years ago, but yet it has not blown away from our mind. As before we continue to expect mercy from the government and that all problems will be solved by the authorities. From one point of view it is understandable as too much still depend on them and the ordinary citizen is not kept from the despotism of officials and the laws are not strong enough to protect him, etc. From the other point the situation will not change if the society itself does not take an active role.  And not only in criticism but also in the will to change our life to the better.
  
         It is absurd to demand accomplishing reforms from the authorities, if they are not talked out in our public consciousness and the majority of citizens do not realize their necessity and mechanisms of their implementation. What reform was seriously and meticulously discussed in our society?
  
         I am afraid, none was. That is why to speak ironically in media when the authorities say "We do not need reforms for reforms." means to fire cannon at sparrows.
    
         In an ordinary language this phrase means: “We do not need reforms just for appearance’s sake” – is it worth to argue about it?
President is not a Messiah and a prophet and as a rule is not a profound thinker, but he is a manager whom the political elite moves forward and people entrust power for some period.

         And the necessity of reforms is realized firstly by the intellectual elite, whose functions are to comprehend the processes occurring in the society and the state.

         In developed countries this division of labor between politicians and intellectuals has been realized long time ago and has not   caused any objections. Each has to do his own. Scientists and experts carry out their researches and suggest their decisions, but politicians and the society choose those variants  they consider to be  optimal. Though   no one is insured from making mistakes – neither scientists, nor politicians and the society.

         Abkhazia has an university and several research institutes, a Strategic Research Centre. We have famous experts in the non - governmental sphere, parties and public movements. Enough to analyze the situation, to learn the world experience and propose new ideas and influence on decision - making.  In other groups of the society there are also clever, educated people and able to suggest new ideas. Let us create a public ground for discussion necessary reforms, it is more complicated then just to criticize, but more constructive. The public conscience must work actively and effectively, just with this condition the country becomes competitive in the hard conditions of nowadays. If the society wants or not it is tied to the principle of collective responsibility. Our future depends on all of us and not just on the authorities.

                                                                                        Nadezhda Venediktova