THE GROWTH OF EXTREMISM AND THE FACTOR OF “INTELLECTUAL PARITY”

Gagik Harutyunyan

Resume

The growth of extremism observed currently is caused not only by painful process of multipolar world formation and protest movement rise, but also by activities of American think tanks that generate “smart technologies.” Effective counteraction to such technologies by other countries is possible only when they achieve an “intellectual parity” in the area of relevant humanitarian technologies.

THE CHALLENGES OF SMALL STATES OF THE SOUTH CAUCASUS IN THE POST-COLD-WAR PERIOD

Arman Navasardian

Resume

The challenges of the New World Order and global changes engulfed also the South Caucasus, which stopped being just the sphere of Russian influence. New players appeared in the region: the US, EU, Turkey, Iran, and China. Also South Caucasus started to be viewed as a part of the Greater Middle East, with all that it entails. The ongoing geopolitical and geostrategic transformations in the region fundamentally change the political image of Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan as new subjects of international law, and the relevant foreign policy practices. The region plays an increasingly larger role in the context of dangerous trends to redraw the modern world map, which are based primarily on aspirations to redistribute hydrocarbon resources (and also drinking water in the near future). In the article the author presents his vision about easing the political tensions and establishment of normal relations between states.

SOME STRUCTURAL PECULIARITIES OF THE HIERARCHICAL INTERNATIONAL SYSTEMS

Vahagn Aglyan

Resume

The traditional thesis of the most of the international relations (IR) theories is based on the postulate of anarchy in IR, which does not imply chaos in international affairs, but rather, absence of any institutionally accepted mechanism of global management. At the same time, both the realities of modern IR and their historical perspective indicate that the phenomenon of hierarchy in international relations not only exists, but also matters. Hierarchical systems in international relations and their regional dimensions stem as a whole from the practice of asymmetrical interrelationship between the dominant state and a smaller country, which vicariously transforms into a subordinating character of bilateral relations with a “hegemon” state. An important aspect of the hierarchy is constituted by the conditions that maintain hierarchical systems, which represent operational and quantitative dimensions of one or another system.

ON THE DEVELOPMENTS OF YOUTH MOVEMENTS IN ARMENIA

Samvel Manukyan

Resume

The author discusses the “No to Robbery!” youth movement that emerged in Yerevan in relation to the electricity tariff rate hikes introduced in May 2015. The evolution of the movement showed that having no skills for constructive communication, the students had to resort to only two options: either “confrontation”, or “graceless” retreat. The youth believed serious changes are necessary for Armenia and that new political figures are required for that. Obviously, there is a need for a new national/state ideology in Armenia that would be acceptable for the society and especially, for the youth.

MANIPULATIVE TECHNIQUES AND MECHANISMS FOR SOCIO-PSYCHOLOGICAL INFLUENCE THROUGH MEDIA

Nvard Melkonyan

Resume

The article reviews the main techniques and technologies of socio-psychological influence used in mass media to impact public opinion. The essence, functions and potential of manipulation are uncovered. The article presents various classifications of manipulation techniques and methods proposed by foreign researchers (J. Brown, R. Cialdini, H. Schiller and others). The techniques of modern myth-making in mass media are reviewed, since manipulation is mainly based on social mythology. Also, in the modern media manipulation techniques and modes based on sensitive-emotional area, as well as on traits of individual and mass psychology (suggestive techniques and NLP) are playing an increasingly larger role, and these are presented in the work, too.

ARMENIAN, GREEK, AND JEWISH PRINTED AND ONLINE MEDIA IN TURKEY

Gevorg Petrosyan

Resume

For decades the media of national minorities in Turkey, Armenians, Greeks, Jews, continued their publications through struggle. These newspapers continue enduring difficulties currently due to the lack of funds and decreasing number of readership. The newspapers of Turkey's minorities have to cut down their print-runs and pay more attention to online publications. In Turkey there are three Armenian newspapers: “Jamanak” and “Marmara” dailies, and “Agos” weekly, which have their own websites. Greeks in Turkey publish “Apoyevmatini” and “Iho” newspapers, and Jews publish “Shalom” newspaper. Though the numbers of printed copies of the newspapers are reduced, Internet opens new prospects for media of national minorities.

THE IDEA OF INDEPENDENT ARMENIA IN “SAMIZDAT” PUBLICATIONS

Arman Galoyan

Resume

The dissident movement of 1960s in the former USSR had serious manifestations in Armenia. However, the Armenian dissident groups significantly differed from similar organizations in other countries. Unlike the dissident movement that emerged in 1960s in Russia that was mostly directed to defending the human rights, the activities of dissidents in Armenia were more national in their character. For Armenian dissidents, the primary objectives included the struggle against the single-party system, maintaining the national image and purity of the Armenian language, Armenia’s secession from the Soviet Union and declaration of independence, all of which were reflected in samizdat publications.

EUROPEAN INTEGRATION OF ARMENIA: PERCEPTION OF THE EUROPEAN MEDIA

Davit Sargsyan

Resume

The article discusses the perceptions of the leading Western media in terms of geopolitical choice of Armenia. Particularly, the main issues are media interpretations of the European and Eurasian integration paths of Armenia by the European press, the patterns of imagemaking process of Armenia as a counterpart, the media coverage of Yerevan’s steps during the Eastern Partnership initiative. The main features of the coverage of the integration vectors of Armenia in the European press are presented.