The challenges our country is facing in socio-political terms have not even been stated properly yet.

After the parliamentary “elections” on September 11 we should start a serious conversation: what should we, Belarusians, citizens do with the country?

The EuroBelarus Information Service asked the question to philosopher and methodologist Uladzimir Matskevich.

— I have not been following the “elections”, because there is nothing to follow.

As this simulation has ended, I would like to suggest a discussion about the political system, which, unlike the election, deserves our attention.

Elections are always the part of the political system; they are its most prominent part when the political system is democratic, competitive; when there is an open discussion about the current problems, difficulties or actual problems; when the country moves forward.

In this sense, the whole world is keenly following the elections in the United States — not only because the Americans, as usual, have accompanied a real political process with a prolonged show; but also because an unbiased observer (both in the US and abroad) understands that very deep processes related to economic, political, moral, or industry challenges that stand behind this show.

In addition, all sorts of forces that do not participate in the show — businessmen, business cartels, political parties, philosophers, scientists, and political scientists — are involved in the elections. Elections always touch upon the problems of culture. Therefore, one can see famous actors, singers, athletes involved in election campaigns in a properly functioning political system.

Belarusian situation is nothing like that. No, not because the elections are forged — the entire political system, the entire political life is simulated in our country, which means that without changing the political system, we would never be able to hold free and democratic election.

— How can we change the political system?

— The political system can and should be changed by not only taking part in election campaigns, but in deep work with key groups that influence the life of the country: business, science, NGOs, cultural workers, and public figures that are not directly engaged into politics. The opposition doesn’t work with any of these groups, although some of the cultural figures and businessmen occasionally get involved into political life. A striking example of it is Niakliaeu; however, it is private participation of a cultural persona, not representation of the entire target group or a professional corporation.

Elections in some situations or countries become a life-changing event for a country, even if they are carried out in dictatorial authoritarian regimes. But they always have specific terms: in addition to the state-controlled media, the information is spread out through other channels such as online media and social networks.

— But why this is not our case?

— You see, those who call themselves opposition politicians are hardly represented on the Internet. In Belarus, there are outstanding characters on the Internet, bright personalities in the country, but they are not willing to participate in the political farce. They cannot get involved into artificial confrontation between small political parties and strong power vertical.

The challenges that our country is facing in socio-political terms have not even been stated properly yet. For the most part we only reflect upon and criticize the consequences, manifestations, but no the very basis of the regime.

— Here comes the eternal question: so what do you do?

— After these “elections” I'd offer to start a serious conversation that would go beyond the narrow framework of the pseudo-political struggle for parliamentary seats and for power: what we, Belarusians, citizens can and should do with our country?

We are facing quite obvious problems related to the economy, integrity and sovereignty of our country. But apart from that, there is a huge reservoir of issues which is hardly discussed: health and education systems, hidden unemployment, inability to run business or organize self-employment, and prove oneself as an independent active person.

All the problems in the complex form our political system. It is foolish to think that it is possible to hold elections without reforming the education system; that the education system can be changed without changing the work of the Parliament; that the work of the Parliament can be changed if there is no justice in the country.

Understanding and knowing all this, what interest can I have the “elections”? None.