The authorities might be intentionally discredited. On the other hand, the authorities might discredit themselves by their reckless steps, decisions, actions or inaction. In case of self-discrediting the notion of statehood and the pillars on which the state stands are also discredited. Those pillars are the branches of government, state institutions and institutes. Consequently, people lose their sense of discipline, stability, legitimacy, and faith in the future.
The verb "to discredit" someone or something originated from French verb "discréditer", which means to cause someone to lose people's trust. The Armenian translation of the word “discrediting” has different nuances: in "credit breaking" "discrediting" implies damage in reputation, disgrace, whereas in "breaking faith" it implies causing to be distrusted.
"Damage in reputation or disgracing" does not completely convey the feeling and emotional pressure the citizens of Armenia are currently subject to. “Loss of reputation” can be restored in some way, however, it is the "loss of trust" in the state that seems to express the feelings of our citizens more completely at present.
Today it is the state as a phenomenon with all its institutions that is being discredited in Armenia. The incumbent team that came to power in 2018 has consistently discredited the judicial system. No matter how harsh it is criticized, the judiciary is the only institution where people resolve their disputes, otherwise those disputes might be resolved in the street. The judiciary must be transformed, not discredited, and the task of any government is to instill confidence in its own judiciary. There is no other way out.
After losing the war, the army also was discredited, to which people trust the most precious thing - the lives of their sons. However, the incumbent government consistently continues to discredit the army in terms of security, especially in these turbulent times.
The police, which protect the government from their own people, are also being discredited. But that is not all. Neither there is trust in the parliament, which is the only body formed by the national elections that expresses the will of the people, that is, the main pillar of the legitimacy of the whole state. The composition and quality of the current parliament do not inspire hope and confidence in the people.
Discrediting state institutions and the state as a whole in general is considered a serious crime in any country and is severely punished. What if it is the government which is engaged in discrediting?
It is clear that the current situation cannot last long, it is fraught with unpredictable consequences. But on the other hand, no clear ways have yet been outlined out of this situation. We should rely on time.