SOME PECULIARITIES OF THE MULTIPOLAR SYSTEM

Gagik Harutyunyan

Resume

The final fragmentation of the monopolar world system and the forming of military, political and ideological multipolar system dictate their rules to both global and regional actors. In the context of “de-globalization” the USA make an attempt to maintain their supremacy through “active defense”. The geopolitical steps undertaken by Russia and economic ones by China symbolize the return of classical geopolitics and geo-economy to the global arena. The relations between the main geopolitical actors, along with the growing tensions contain also elements of dynamic equilibrium, and this condition tends to strengthen.

SMALL COUNTRIES IN THE THREEFOLD PATTERN OF THE ANTI-TERROR COALITIONS

Arman Navasardyan

Resume

An Islamic quasi-state called Daesh has recently emerged in world politics. For the first time after Westphalian agreement in international affairs it disputes countries' legitimacy in announcing war or peace. Now there are six flash points in Middle East: Israeli-Palestinian conflict, military actions with the Daesh in Iraq, Syria, Yemen and the conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia. The latter burst out in early 2016, threatening to aggravate the explosive situation in the region and expand it beyond its borders, causing a war of religions between Sunnis and Shias. Republic of Armenia should remain neutral in such kind of chaotic situation and avoid supporting any of three anti-Daesh coalitions. Having no diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, Armenia should attempt a diplomatic breakthrough towards Islamabad, making use of the antagonism observed between these two countries.

THE CONSEQUENCES OF TURKEY’S SOCIOECONOMIC ACTIVITIES IN GEORGIA

Vahram Ter-Matevosyan

Resume

The importance of Georgia for Turkey is more than obvious and this is evidenced by its increasing economic influence. An analysis of the political and economic relationship shows that Turkey and Georgia pursue different goals in their mutual relations. Turkey pursues geopolitical, economic, religious and sociocultural interests in Georgia, whereas Georgia’s policy towards Turkey is based primarily on economic and social factors. Most of the Georgian politicians regard favorably the presence of Turkey in their country’s economy and strategic areas. However, certain parts of the Georgian society exercise caution with regard to the objectives pursued by Turkey, especially its policies in relation to Adjara, Abkhazia and communities with Muslim population. A number of political forces, as well as the Georgian Orthodox Church, based on negative public opinion formulate a political agenda, which is perceived as anti-Turkish or anti-Islamic. Nonetheless, the increasing Turkish influence on Georgian economy since 2004, Georgia’s involvement in energy projects in direction from Azerbaijan to the West, and continued uncertainty in Georgia-Russia relations have created grounds for systemic activities of Turkish political influence. In the short term this brings favorable geopolitical realities for Georgia, yet these are very ambiguous in the long run.

THE ARMENIAN YOUTH AND THE POLITICAL PROCESSES IN THE LIGHT OF SOCIOLOGICAL STUDIES

Samvel Manukyan

Resume

The article examines the issue of teaching quality of social sciences in the universities of Yerevan based on sociological studies data, and evaluates effectiveness of social sciences knowledge transfer during the learning. The issue of the students’ conceptual and systemic knowledge on the world system is discussed. The students’ public activity, its characteristics and possibilities of ideological manipulation of student movements are assessed. The efficiency and quality of political parties’ recruitment among students and its impact on worldview of future elites of Armenia is reviewed.

ETHNIC LOBBYING IN THE USA: ETHNIC INTEREST GROUPS IN FORMATION OF THE US POLITICAL AGENDA

Robert Ghevondyan

Resume

The structure of the US political system allows representing various groups' interests in a formal way. The society’s ethnic groups, who start or hire organizations through assistance from the government of their own nation-state or through self-organization, use this opportunity as well. In turn, these organizations protect the interests of the relevant government and groups engaged in lobbying activities. Traditionally, the Armenian, Jewish and Greek lobbying organizations are particularly efficient. In recent years Turkish-Azeri lobbies also grew active.

THE MIGRATION OF ARMENIANS FROM CYPRUS (IN 1955-1970s)

Tigran Ghanalanyan

Resume

Under the conditions of a struggle against the British colonial rule, political developments in the aftermath of Cyprus independence, clashes between Greeks and Turks, and Turkish invasion of the island in 1974, several thousands of Armenians chose to leave the country. Out of 2,500 Armenians who left the country about 500 repatriated, while most of the rest went to UK, playing an important role in establishment and development of the Armenian community of London. At the same time, an influx of Armenians to Cyprus from Middle Eastern countries took place, which to some extent mitigated the emigration’s negative effects for the local Armenian community.

THE IMPORTANCE OF MECHANISMS FOR ASSESSING THE SIGNIFICANCE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF INFORMATION OPERATIONS IN THE ARMED FORCES

Armen Ghalechyan

Resume

The modern information technologies have an important role in conducting military operations in the beginning of the 21st century. Achieving information superiority over a potential or actual adversary in both peace and war times is one of the main objectives of the developed countries. The main means to ensure information superiority over the adversary is the information operation aimed at disruption, distortion or control of the decision making process of the potential or actual adversary, as well protecting one’s own military from similar activities. Given the importance of information operations in modern conditions, the matters of enhancing the technical base and training specialists in this area are prioritized.

TELEVISION ADVERTISEMENT AND THE TEENAGERS’ SYSTEM OF VALUES

Aida Anastasyan

Resume

The article examines the influence of TV advertisement on teenagers’ values. In the conditions of the modern consumer society, advertisement is a necessary component of cultural landscape and an unofficial art of the industrial society. The article emphasizes the positive and negative impacts of advertisement on the formation of teenagers’ values, as well as elaborates on commercials’ content and thematic peculiarities as a media text.

THE NETWORKED READINESS REGIONAL INDEX

Tatevik Ghazaryan

Resume

The article presents the World Economic Forum's Networked Readiness Index (NRI), which measures the propensity for countries to exploit the opportunities offered by information and communications technology (ICT). The index seeks to understand better the impact of ICT on the competitiveness of nations. The Network Readiness Index has been analyzed in the article using a quantitative method. The objective of the analysis is to identify and substantiate the development of telecommunication in the Republic of Armenia (RoA), along with its features, ranking and position in the region. The analysis shows that Armenia is improving its position and scores each year, becoming a competitive country in the region. This is evidenced by the fact that on NRI RoA was rated 4th among 9 countries in the CIS Group in 2015. At the same time, it can be stated, that NRI will give an opportunity for our country's most important political decision makers to enhance the competitiveness in terms of designing the strategic direction of the country.