Politics

Without social media and the press, the “Velvet Revolution” could have evolved completely differently. To some extent, what took place was in fact a media revolution. And now, post-revolution, we can register that the media landscape in Armenia is no longer what it was until April of this year. Samvel Martirosyan discusses some of the qualitative and quantitative changes in the Armenian media.

Armenia's post Velvet Revolution government came with the promise of snap elections, rooting out corruption and a new style of governance. A look at Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's and his government's first 100 days in office.

Armenia's post Velvet Revolution government came with the promise of snap elections, rooting out corruption and a new style of governance. A look at Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's and his government's first 100 days in office.

In this third part of our series on Electoral Code reforms in Armenia, Harout Manougian looks at the debate about quotas for women and ethnic minorities for the upcoming national elections.

Nerses Kopalyan examines and debunks the arguments that the arrest and detention of Armenia’s second President Robert Kocharyan is politically motivated and that the basis of the arrest lacks cogent and substantive legal foundations. Kocharyan has been charged with “overthrowing constitutional order” regarding the events of March 1, 2008 that left ten people dead.

In this second part of our series on Electoral Code reforms in Armenia, Harout Manougian looks at the debate taking place regarding the minimum threshold of the total popular vote political parties need to secure to enter the country’s parliament.

Dr. Donald Fuller writes that there is an observable pattern that small state characteristics differ from larger states, particularly those that are not afflicted by the ‘resource curse.’ Institutions appear to be critical, trade can burnish the lack of natural resources and human capital offers a level of comparative advantage if carefully nurtured.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan promised to call snap elections as soon as the country’s Electoral Code could be amended to allow for a fair race. Currently there are two bodies forming recommendations. Harout Manougian looks at the intricacies of the Electoral Code and in this first article writes about open vs. closed party lists.

Nerses Kopalyan writes that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s declaration of war against the entrenched powers of the previous system is not simply a singular attack against corruption, but rather a broad multi-pronged strategy that envisions an ideational restructuring of Armenia’s political culture.

Upholding the dignity and rights of each individual is the main function of any democratic state. The change in power as a result of the revolution and the assumption of the office of prime minister by Nikol Pashinyan with the agreement and affirmation of wide segments of society put into motion the formation of a new social contract.