The Velvet Revolution in Armenia: Causes, Course, Success Factors

The object of the study is the Velvet revolution in Armenia; the subject is its causes and prerequisites, the course and success factors of the operation to change the ruling regime in this state. The authors consider such aspects of the topic as the political history of the first years of the existence of the independent Republic of Armenia, reflected in a number of electoral cycles; technologies for organizing protest actions by Armenian citizens at the beginning of the XXI century; socio-economic and other causes and prerequisites for the growth of crisis trends in the country on the eve of the events of 2018; the role of internal and external forces in the preparation and implementation of the Velvet revolution, including the personality factor of Prime Minister Sargsyan and his main opponent Pashinyan; finally, the methods of the opposition's struggle against the ruling regime and the reasons for its final victory. The methodological basis of the research is the principle of historicism and scientific objectivity, methods of analysis, observation and a systematic approach. The latter assumes that the object of research is a system consisting of interrelated elements, and takes into account the specific historical conditions in which its development takes place. In this article, such a system is the Color revolutions. The novelty of the study lies in the fact that the events of 2018 are considered objectively from a systemic point of view. The authors conclude that the Velvet revolution was caused by both internal and external causes. Among the key factors that led to her victory, it is worth noting the weakness of the ruling regime of Armenia and the effective actions of its opponents led by Pashinyan, especially in terms of using the advanced information and communication technologies.

Color revolutions, post-Soviet space, Armenia, Velvet revolution, protest actions, social media, non-governmental organizations, Kocharyan, Sargsyan, Pashinyan