Armenia and the Velvet Revolution: The Merits and Flaws of a Protest-based Civil Society

Foreign Policy Research institute

Author: Simon Hoellerbauer

In: Geopolitics, 2019

The author argues that comparison with the 'Colour Revolutions' are misleading since these were promoted by civil society organizations and opposition parties and focused on regime distortion of elections. Success in Armenia did demonstrate the power of civil society, but relied on 'grassroots organizing via social media' rather than on official NGOs, which are widely distrusted. The 2018 revolution drew on experience of earlier protests focused on limited issues. Hoellerbauer also speculates about future prospects for democracy under Pashinyan without a strong civil society to hold him accountable, and in the light of Armenia's dependence on Russia and the problem of the 'frozen conflict' over Nagorno-Karabakh.

Available online at:

https://www.fpri.org/article/2019/02/armenia-and-the-velvet-revolution-the-merits-and-flaws-of-a-protest-based-civil-society/

Log in to post comments
Google Scholar

More from the same author(s)

Simon Hoellerbauer

Countries

Armenia

Bibliography Sections

Listed in:

Volume One -> D. Resisting Authoritarianism in Post-Communist and Post-Soviet Regimes -> D. II. 'Electoral Revolutions' and 'Critical Elections' in Post-Communist States -> D. II.2. 'Electoral Revolutions' (and 'Critical Elections') in Individual Countries -> D. II.2.a. Armenia: 2003 and 2008 and 2018

The online version of Vol. 1 of the bibliography was made possible due to the generous support of the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict (ICNC). ICNC is an independent, non-profit educational foundation that develops and encourages the study and use of civilian-based, nonmilitary strategies aimed at establishing and defending human rights, democratic self-rule and justice worldwide.

For more information about ICNC, please see their website.

The online version of Vol. 2 of the bibliography was made possible due to the generous support of The Network for Social Change. The Network for Social Change is a group of individuals providing funding for progressive social change, particularly in the areas of justice, peace and the environment.