Journal of Sociology: Bulletin of Yerevan University
The journal publishes papers on sociological and interdisciplinary analysis of actual problems of the modern society, without limiting its scope of interests with any particular direction. We are interested in both theoretical and applied research studies focused on contemporary issues in the field of social work and social administration.
Yerevan State University Publishing House
SOCIAL CASE WORK OR CASE MANAGEMENT? UNDERSTANDING TWO COMPLEMENTARY APPROACHES IN ARMENIAN SOCIAL WORK
This article examines the relationship between social case work and social case management within the development of social work practice in Armenia. Although these concepts are frequently used interchangeably in Armenian professional discourse, they represent distinct yet complementary methods of intervention. Drawing upon international social work literature and the historical evolution of social services in Armenia, the article analyzes the origins, theoretical foundations, and practical applications of both approaches. The discussion demonstrates that social case work primarily focuses on direct professional engagement with beneficiaries through assessment, intervention, and psychosocial support, whereas social case management emphasizes coordination of services, resource mobilization, and oversight of interventions delivered by multiple providers. The article traces how confusion between these approaches emerged during the early institutionalization of social work in Armenia and explains how the integration of social services has increased the relevance of case management. It is argued that the future development of Armenia’s social protection system requires a clear conceptual distinction between these methods while simultaneously promoting their integration. Such an approach would strengthen professional practice, improve service delivery, and enhance outcomes for beneficiaries facing complex social problems.
Copyright (c) 2026 Artak Khachatryan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
JUST TRANSITION FROM BELOW: HOW MINEWORKERS IN ZIMBABWE LINK LABOUR RIGHTS TO CLIMATE JUSTICE
This article examines how mineworkers in Zimbabwe engage with and reshape climate justice debates amid the expansion of extractive industries and the global green transition. Drawing on qualitative research based on semi-structured interviews with mineworkers, trade union officials, and civil society actors, the study explores how experiences of labour exploitation, unsafe working conditions, and environmental degradation shape workers’ understandings of climate justice. The findings indicate that while civil society organisations and policy actors have largely shaped climate justice discourse, mineworkers are articulating claims grounded in everyday struggles and seeking to participate in shaping just transition processes. These claims centre on demands for stronger regulation of labour and environmental standards, more equitable redistribution of mineral wealth, and forms of reparative justice for communities affected by extractivism. Engagement with transnational labour networks further contributes to the emergence of a worker-centred climate justice consciousness linking workplace struggles to broader socio-ecological concerns. By foregrounding worker agency, the article advances a labour-centred perspective on climate justice in the Global South and argues that a just transition must be democratically negotiated, socially redistributive, and historically attentive.
Modernization, Social and Environment Change
Copyright (c) 2026 Antonater Choto https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
BETWEEN SECURITY ANXIETY AND LEADERSHIP DEMAND: PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS OF POLITICS AND POLITICAL LEADERSHIP IN ARMENIA AHEAD OF THE 2026 PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS
This article examines public perceptions of Armenia’s political situation, leadership, and electoral prospects based on six focus group discussions conducted in October–November 2025. The study explores how citizens evaluate recent developments in the country, perceive key challenges facing the Armenian state, assess political actors, and imagine the characteristics of an ideal political leader. The findings demonstrate that concerns about national security, statehood, and political leadership dominate public discourse. Although participants acknowledged certain positive developments, including digitalization, infrastructure improvements, and modernization of public services, these achievements were largely overshadowed by anxieties related to security, governance, national identity, and political legitimacy. Respondents expressed widespread distrust toward political elites and institutions while simultaneously demonstrating strong interest in electoral participation and leadership change. The image of the ideal leader was strongly associated with competence, patriotism, decisiveness, and the capacity to ensure national security. The study contributes to understanding political attitudes in contemporary Armenia and illustrates how collective perceptions of insecurity shape political evaluations and expectations.
Copyright (c) 2026 Arthur Atanesyan, Samson Mklhitaryan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
THE ROLE OF PLANNING IN ENSURING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF GROUP SOCIAL WORK
Planning is one of the key components of successful group social work, which ensures its targeted, systematic and effective implementation. This article presents a comprehensive review of the theoretical and professional literature on group social work planning, focusing on the main stages of planning։ needs assessment, formulation of SMART goals, selection of participants, group formation, development of meeting structure, risk management, as well as monitoring and evaluation processes. In order to present the domestic experience of group social work planning, the experience of the “Shogh” community-based day care centers for children operating under the Armenian Evangelical Association of America (AMAA) was studied. The presented experience shows how systematic and conscious planning can contribute to the social development, well-being and social inclusion of children and families. The article pays special attention to the interdependence of planning and evaluation as a continuous professional process, which allows not only to organize the work of the group, but also to assess its effectiveness and make necessary improvements. Thus, the analysis of both theoretical sources and practical experience proves that effective planning contributes to increasing the quality of group activities, strengthening professional accountability, and ensuring more sustainable and significant results for beneficiaries.
Copyright (c) 2026 Anna Voskanyan, Anahit Sahakyan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF SOCIAL CASE MANAGEMENT IN ARMENIA
Social case management is widely applied in organizations providing social services in Armenia. However, the extent to which it has been institutionalized within the national social service system remains unclear. This article addresses this gap by combining theoretical perspectives on institutionalization with findings from qualitative research conducted among social service providers in Armenia. The results indicate that, although social case management has undergone significant institutional development, it has not yet been fully institutionalized. In particular, regulative and normative components—such as legal frameworks, policies, and professional standards—are largely established, while the cultural-cognitive dimension, including mutual recognition, legitimization, and consistent application of standardized approaches, remains underdeveloped across governmental, community-based, and non-governmental organizations. The article contributes to the field by conceptualizing social case management as a methodology, clarifying its relationship with social work, and providing a structured analysis of its institutionalization process in the Armenian context.
Copyright (c) 2026 Yevgine Vardanyan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
“SOCIETIES IN MOTION”: A CURRICULUM MODEL FOR TEACHING THE SOCIOLOGY OF MIGRATION
This methodological article presents the significance, structure, and pedagogical peculiarities of the course Sociology of Migration designed for Bachelor-level students of social and humanitarian specialties. Today, migration has emerged as one of the most influential social processes shaping demographic transformations, labor markets, urban development, cultural interactions, political conflicts, and identity formation. In the context of world’s societies complex and even chaotic developments, forced displacement, and increasing transnational mobility, sociology students require systematic theoretical and methodological training to comprehend migration as a multidimensional social phenomenon. Particular attention is devoted to migration-related integration processes. Contemporary societies increasingly encounter challenges associated with social inclusion, intercultural communication, ethnic relations, discrimination, segregation, and the adaptation of migrants within receiving communities. Consequently, the course introduces students to major sociological approaches to integration, assimilation, multiculturalism, transnationalism, and acculturation, enabling them to critically analyze the complex relationships between migrants and societies. The article argues that the incorporation of migration sociology into BA-level sociological education is essential for the development of analytical, critical, and research-oriented competencies. The course combines theoretical lectures with seminar discussions, case-study analysis, comparative perspectives, visual materials, and elements of empirical interpretation. Particular emphasis is placed on establishing connections between sociological theory and contemporary migration realities in both global and local; sending and receiving contexts. The anticipated educational outcomes include the development of sociological imagination, reasoning, the capacity to analyze migration and integration processes, enhanced analytical and communicative competencies, and the preparation of students for further academic research and professional engagement in migration-related fields.
Copyright (c) 2026 Aram Vartikyan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
FROM ACCESS TO OUTCOMES: HOUSING POLICY AND THE CONSTRAINTS OF INTEGRATION AMONG FORCIBLY DISPLACED PERSONS FROM NAGORNO-KARABAKH
Housing policy is widely framed as a key mechanism of socio-economic integration in contexts of forced displacement; however, theoretical debates increasingly distinguish between processes and outcomes, challenging the assumption that formal access necessarily leads to sustainable integration. This article examines the constraints of integration within housing policy by analyzing the mechanisms through which access to housing support is translated—or fails to translate—into integration outcomes. Drawing on original empirical research conducted in Armenia following the mass displacement from Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023, the study employs an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, combining administrative data, a survey of 717 households, and qualitative interviews. The findings demonstrate that integration outcomes are shaped by a structural gap between formal and effective access. Financial intermediation, housing market dynamics, and institutional features of programme design interact to constrain beneficiaries’ ability to convert legal eligibility into actual housing outcomes. This results in selective participation, uneven integration pathways, and dynamics of partial inclusion that may be understood as forms of “double marginalisation”. The article advances process-oriented and socio-ecological approaches to integration by conceptualising access as a mediated and conditional process. It argues that the constraints of integration are not inherent to displacement itself, but emerge from the interaction between policy design, market dynamics, and institutional environments.
Copyright (c) 2026 Mira Antonyan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
THE MARGINALIZED VOICE: HOW DOES NEOLIBERAL GOVERNANCE RESHAPE THE PROFESSIONAL AUTONOMY OF SOCIAL WORKERS IN ARMENIA?
This article examines the marginalization of social workers’ voices within the context of Armenia’s recent social protection reforms. Utilizing the theoretical lens of political social work, the study explores how the introduction of integrated case management and new family vulnerability assessment systems impacts professional practice. Drawing on critical, structural, and radical traditions, the analysis suggests that while reforms aim for administrative efficiency and activation through employment, they often rely on neoliberal logic that prioritizes algorithmic indicators over nuanced professional judgment. The article identifies significant systemic risks, including the individualization of poverty, the reduction of professional autonomy, and the rise of a "silent compliance" culture. Ultimately, the paper argues that for social work to remain an instrument of social justice, it must reclaim its political dimension, ensuring that the lived realities of vulnerable populations are not lost to bureaucratic digitalization.​
Copyright (c) 2026 Marine Yarmaloyan, Nune Geghamyan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
OPEC AND CLIMATE ACTION: ADAPTATIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT IN THE GLOBAL SOUTH
The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has committed to combating climate change. However, this commitment has confronted its members with two contradictory imperatives. They are sustaining hydrocarbon dependent development and adapting to the global agenda for decarbonisation. As international climate discourse intensifies, OPEC’s traditional rentier models of statecraft face unprecedented strain. This study examines how climate change discourse is reshaping the material and economic environment of OPEC states in the Global South dependent on oil and natural gas rents. Using qualitative data and a political economy approach, the study analyses how OPEC states collectively and individually negotiates the pressures of climate change commitments and national development imperatives. Employing the case studies of Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, and the United Arab Emirate, the article highlights the adaptive strategies of these states. The study finds that these strategies range from economic diversification and renewable energy investments to symbolic green branding and resistance within international climate negotiations. The study concludes that while OPEC members rhetorically embrace aspects of the energy transition agenda, their developmental dependence on hydrocarbons creates a double-bind of climate vulnerability and economic inertia.
Copyright (c) 2026 Kester Onor https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
DEATH ROLL INMATE SURGE: THE OBLIVIOUS THREAT TO CORRECTIONAL CENTRES LIVING CONDITIONS
The increasing number of the death row prisoners is posing an increasing burden on custodial management and welfare of inmates in Nigeria. This paper examines the effects of the surge in the number of death row inmates on the quality of life of the condemned prisoners in Kwara State, Nigeria, based on a qualitative research design. Data were collected using in-depth interviewing of fifteen death row inmates and were analysed using a thematic approach to capture both the lived and institutional realities. Respondents were selected from the host of death roll inmates with inclusion criteria of inmates who has spend a minimum of five (5) years on death roll. This criteria becomes necessary to harvest wide responses on the subject matter The results show that years of overcrowding have seriously compromised individual space, sanitation, food and water, medical care and the right to move. In addition to material deprivation the surge has increased psychological suffering and heightened tension in inmates and strengthened feelings of neglect and institutional abandonment. The paper also illustrates that current correctional facilities and provisions in Kwara State are not adequately prepared to take care of the growing population of the death row. The article then suggests population management and sentencing review mechanism, scaling up of resources, and enhanced budgetary funds to ameliorate the living conditions and provide humane treatment according to the international correctional standards. This research acts as a valuable addition to the criminological and policy discourse on the problem of overcrowding in correctional facilities and capital punishment in Nigeria by placing death row inmate voices at the centre of the discussion.
Copyright (c) 2026 Eyitayo Oyeyipo, Olawale Gbadeyan, Ademolu Adenuga, Olubukola Aratunde https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
IN SEARCH OF POLITICAL WILL: COMBATING EMERGING SECURITY THREATS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
The paper examines how political will may limit state power in tackling new security threats in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It identifies the multiple security challenges and how these are exacerbated by limited commitment (or a lack of it) by political actors, who could employ proactive or creative policy action or programs to tackle security crises on the sub-continent. Drawing from a repertoire of existing literature and theorizing political and national security, the paper presents a textual analysis of the situation, arguing that military power or capacity is significantly enhanced or limited by the political action of leaders in SSA countries. It recommends, among others, proactive political action and a comprehensive approach, given the complex nature of the situation, in tackling conventional and emerging security threats on the sub-continent.
Copyright (c) 2025 Sheriff Folarin, Victory Iyoha, Marvellous Onah https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
DIGITAL NOMADS AS POLITICAL FACTOR AND A HYPOTHETICAL POLITICAL ACTOR
Digital nomadism is a relatively recent yet rapidly expanding phenomenon characterized by a form of mobility in which work becomes location-independent and everyday life is organized through continuous movement. As a distinct group within contemporary cross-border migration processes, digital nomads appear not only as objects of state and institutional policies but also display elements of political agency. This article supplements existing multi-level analytical frameworks for studying migration by introducing several conflict-laden themes and proposing a typology that captures the internal heterogeneity of the category commonly identified as “digital nomads.” Such heterogeneity reveals differentiated value orientations within neo-nomadic communities and enables preliminary assumptions regarding potential political platforms corresponding to these orientations. Noting the absence of political forces within existing nation-states capable of representing some of these interests, the article explores the possibilities for digital nomads to emerge as political actors through participation in new, network-based forms of organization and self-organization.
Copyright (c) 2025 Irina Miller https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
THE GENDERED CONSTRUCTION OF LEADERSHIP AND FOLLOWERSHIP IN ARMENIA’S EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM
This article analyzes the gendered construction of leadership and followership within Armenia’s educational system, drawing on theoretical frameworks from gender studies and qualitative fieldwork conducted in public schools. Despite the heavy feminization of the teaching profession, authority and leadership in Armenian society remain culturally coded as masculine, producing a structural paradox in which women educators hold formal instructional authority yet encounter symbolic devaluation. Empirical findings from interviews and classroom observations show that these gendered expectations shape how authority is interpreted and enacted, particularly in male students’ varied acceptance or resistance to women as legitimate knowledge holders. The study demonstrates that gendered cultural norms continue to structure leader–follower relations in educational contexts and argues for a more critical engagement with how institutional practices reproduce or challenge patriarchal assumptions. The study contributes to scholarship on gender and educational leadership by demonstrating how cultural schemas and institutional norms continue to influence authority relations within Armenian schools
Copyright (c) 2025 Hasmik Gevorgyan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
HELPING PROFESSIONS IN A NEW WAR REALITY: EDUCATION TRENDS
Every crisis brings new challenges for the helping professionals: physicians, social workers, psychologists, as well as pedagogues and communication specialists. The new reality requires changes in the education system to help professionals by integrating new skills and competencies into their professiograms. Helping professionals have to be prepared to work in unusual physical conditions, threats and uncertainty, develop competence to act in emergencies to increase the safety of their beneficiaries. Lack of such skills not only makes the intervention complicated for helping professionals but also worsens the consequences of the crisis for society. This article examines the experience of helping professionals in Armenia, who were actively engaged in the processes of support and assistance to the people of concern throughout numerous crises that have happened in Armenian society since 2020: Covid-19 pandemic, the 44-day war in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), and the forcible displacement of Armenians from Artsakh to Armenia. The qualitative research unveiled the skill gaps that made the crisis response efforts more challenging for the helping professionals. Based on these findings the authors drafted the recommendations aimed at refining the education of helping professionals. Global crises have become a new normal, making crisis-management skills essential for helping professionals as the required support shifts across stages - from medical and social aid to social-psychological and then psychological assistance - demanding an intersectional, multidisciplinary response. Educating specialists for crisis-shaped environments requires updating professiograms to include rapid response, ethical and clear communication, trust-building, empathy, stress and trauma management, teamwork, volunteer engagement, and professional self-care. These suggestions entail adjustments and enhancements to their skill sets and competencies, as well as revisions to their professional frameworks
Copyright (c) 2025 Nvard Melkonyan, Yuliana Melkonyan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
THE SCRAMBLE FOR AFRICA: WHAT CHANGED BETWEEN THE OLD AND THE NEW?
Africa, historically celebrated as the “Golden Continent,” has long been endowed with immense natural wealth (gold, diamonds, oil, cobalt, lithium, and more); however, it remains plagued by poverty, inequality, and political instability. This study draws on historical and contemporary evidence to argue that what Europeans coveted in the 19th century remains the focal point of foreign interest. From ancient civilizations like Ghana, Mali, and Great Zimbabwe to the 19th-century Scramble for Africa, external powers have sought to control and exploit Africa’s resources. The colonial conquest restructured African economies into extractive systems to serve European industrialization while dismantling indigenous governance and social cohesion. Despite political independence, these structures endure through modern neo-colonial mechanisms, including resource-backed debt, multinational corporate dominance, and aid dependency. This paper found that today’s competition for Africa’s critical minerals, driven by the global green energy transition, mirrors colonial exploitation with China, the U.S., and the EU securing long-term access under the guise of investment and development., which represent the new scramble for the continent, thus being marginally different from the old order or scramble highlighted by the Berlin Treaty of 1885. Therefore, the persistence of extractive systems underscores the need for African nations to reclaim economic sovereignty, pursue value-added industries, and strengthen intra-continental cooperation to transform resource wealth into sustainable development.
Copyright (c) 2026 Kalu Ndubuisi Emegha, Sheriff F. Folarin https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
STRATEGIC COORDINATION AND POLICY CAPACITY: EXECUTIVE INSTITUTIONS AS DRIVERS OF GOVERNANCE INNOVATION IN ARMENIA
This article examines the transformation of executive institutions in the Republic of Armenia through the lens of political sociology, viewing them not merely as administrative structures but as arenas of struggle for symbolic and material capital, spaces for the reproduction of power relations, and agents of institutional change. Employing Bourdieu's neo-institutional optics, Evans's concept of state autonomy, and Mann's theory of state capacity, the study analyzes the dialectic between formal rules and informal practices in the process of administrative modernization. Particular attention is paid to the sociology of reform actors - the bureaucratic elite, the expert community, and international organizations - and the mechanisms of their interaction in the space of state policy. Empirical analysis reveals a contradiction between the discourse of modernization and practices of patrimonial governance, between the formal rationality of Weberian bureaucracy and personalized networks of influence. The study demonstrates that the success of administrative reforms is determined not by technical solutions but by profound transformations of the habitus of civil servants, the restructuring of power relations within the bureaucratic field, and changes in the symbolic economy of public administration. This analysis connects contemporary sociological frameworks with Armenia's ongoing executive authority reforms, examining how institutional design intersects with political culture and governance capacity in a post-Soviet context.
Copyright (c) 2025 Marina Margaryan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
NAVIGATING A GLOBAL CRISIS AWAY FROM HOME: CHALLENGES AND COPING MECHANISMS OF FOREIGN NATIONALS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN SOUTH AFRICA
This paper looks at the experiences of foreign nationals in South Africa during the COVID-19 lockdown by exploring the challenges they faced and the coping mechanisms they employed. The COVID-19 lockdown affected almost everyone living in South Africa, but foreign nationals who often have pre-existing vulnerabilities seem to have been severely affected. Existing studies show the impact of COVID-19 on locals, and limited research shows the impacts of the lockdown on foreign nationals and how they handled such challenges in South Africa. This paper uses the social networks theory to understand how foreign nationals have dealt with COVID-19-induced challenges. Methodologically, the paper used qualitative methodology where data was collected through document analysis and in-depth interviews with foreign nationals from various African countries. The key findings are that foreign nationals faced challenges like limited access to healthcare facilities, hunger, loss of employment, xenophobia and their social networks helped them to cope with these challenges. The paper concludes that the South African government lacked the political will to handle the challenges faced by foreign nationals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the government should show political will in future pandemics or state of emergency by ensuring that what it promises, its policies and its practice align.
Copyright (c) 2025 Paddington Mutekwe https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
TRANSFORMATIONS IN THE SOCIOLOGICAL PERCEPTIONS OF CHILDHOOD
The article explores the evolution of the position, role, and status of childhood and children as a social category through the lens of sociological thought. In particular, it examines the religious, economic, political, and social influences that have shaped the historical dynamics of childhood perceptions. The article also analyzes the process by which sociology has come to recognize childhood, especially in the context of the concepts "sociological child" and "pre-sociological child” and discusses the current discourse on the interpretation of childhood from constructivist perspectives. Further, the article reflects on how these evolving perceptions influence decision-making concerning children, the development of child protection policies, and the nature of research conducted on children. The analysis synthesizes the multilayered and polysemous nature of childhood as a shifting social status that is shaped by historical, political, and social contexts. This understanding highlights the need to reframe the “position” of the child as a subject in the broader context of the transition from a vulnerability-based approach to one grounded in children's rights.
Copyright (c) 2025 Tatevik Karapetyan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
RETHINKING SOLIDARITY THROUGH WELFARE TECHNOLOGY FOR OLDER ADULTS
The welfare state is under pressure. Demographic changes, high expectations for services, and limited resources demand new approaches to service provision. In Norway, national authorities advocate for the use of technology and the involvement of volunteers in health and care services. This paper explores the relationship between solidarity, technology and volunteerism by asking whether the use of technology in health service delivery aligns with the values of solidarity. The empirical basis of the paper is qualitative sub-studies from the research project Caring Futures, as presented in three articles. The sub-studies reveal that technologists strongly support increased use of technology. By framing technology as a means to promote autonomy, they implicitly downplay human dependency. As a result, technology appears to conflict with a concept of solidarity rooted in mutual interaction. In contrast, relatives of nursing home residents recognise and accept dependency. Rather than attempting to eliminate it, they embrace dependency as a foundation for social connection, mutual responsibility and solidarity.
Copyright (c) 2025 Brita Gjerstad, Inger Lise Teig https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
USER INVOLVEMENT IN POVERTY POLICY STRUCTURES AS AN APPROACH TO GIVE A VOICE TO PEOPLE LIVING IN POVERTY AND TO STRENGTHEN SOCIAL COEHISION
Solidarity and social inclusion, which are often used as synonyms in professional discourse on social work, are understood to date with too little focus on the structural level in politics, economics and social services. Furthermore, in the implementation of projects to promote social cohesion, marginalized groups such as people affected by poverty have so far been insufficiently involved in identifying commonalities between groups of people and in joint activities. Therefore, following the user involvement approach and on a structural level, I argue that political, economic and social conditions as well commitment must be in place. In the case of people affected by poverty, who are a very heterogeneous group, at least in Switzerland, mechanisms are needed to enable these groups to identify and voice their concerns and bring them to the attention of the appropriate political, economic or social decision-makers in a targeted manner. Using two research-based projects from poverty policy in Switzerland, I follow to answer the research question: How can people affected by poverty be given a voice in the structures and decision-making processes of poverty policy? The theoretical framework is based on the user involvement approach. Using participative, qualitative and quantitative research methods I answer the question with the potential impact, challenges and conditions of an implementable platform and training courses for professionals from politics, economics and social services, as well as for people affected by poverty. This differentiated knowledge of people affected by poverty and the fulfillment of the requirements of all those involved, a structure of exchange supported by social policy and led by external professionals, willingness to learn and work together, clear communication, or reimbursement of travel expenses, are necessary to strive for a truly sustainable and inclusive society, rather than one that merely appears to be so. However, it should be noted that potential impact has been identified and that further long-term impact and international comparative analyses are necessary to gain comprehensive knowledge.
Copyright (c) 2025 Emanuela Chiapparini https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
CULTURE OF CORRUPTION AS A KEY ISSUE IN ANTI-CORRUPTION METHODOLOGY AND POLICIES (ON EXAMPLES OF ITALY AND ARMENIA)
The aim of this article is to examine the presence of a culture of corruption in public administration systems, assess its negative impact on governance, and evaluate anti-corruption methodologies for enhancing governmental effectiveness. In this context, we explore various manifestations of corruption in public organizations and analyze international experiences - particularly the case of Italy - where we conduct a comprehensive review of its anti-corruption policies and highlight their significance in fostering an effective governance system. The more we know about the causes of corruption, the better we can decide which policy instruments to use to combat corruption. Corruption is a phenomenon that gains public visibility in democratic regimes because in such regimes there are freedom of press, freedom of expression, free party organizations, and opposition to the governments on duty. However, although democracy has the merit of not hiding corruption, not confronting and not containing acts that are harmful to the public interests can be lethal to democracy itself by generating autocratic governments that place themselves above political institutions (Ribeiro, 2000). The study examines the framework and methodologies of anti-corruption policies in the Republic of Armenia, comparing them with the experience of Italy. The theoretical foundation for addressing the issues discussed in this research is based on classical and modern theories of public administration, political science, and sociology. The study employs analytical, comparative, and systemic methods. Italy - being surrounded by European countries, possessing a more institutionalized governance system, and having a more democratic and socially mature society - finds itself in a relatively advantageous position in combating corruption compared to Armenia. Nonetheless, Italy still faces persistent corruption-related challenges. In contrast, Armenia’s situation is shaped by its Soviet legacy, the Karabakh (Artsakh) conflict, and the inefficiencies in governance since independence, all of which have contributed to the persistence of a culture of corruption. Despite significant legislative advancements in recent years, systemic inefficiencies remain. Addressing corruption requires time, skilled professionals, strong managerial will, and other critical factors. International experience in managing state institutions plays a crucial role in shaping Armenia’s anti-corruption efforts. With the purpose of providing better conditions for the adequate understanding of corruption, this article seeks to systematize some of the main theoretical reflections on the subject, highlighting attempts to conceptualize and classify it, as well as some of the approaches developed with the aim of understanding its causes and devising strategies for its control.
Copyright (c) 2025 Edgar Kalantaryan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
CONFLICT-DRIVEN MOBILIZATION IN PROTRACTED CONFLICT: A MULTI-LEVEL CONCEPTUAL SYNTHESIS FROM THE KARABAKH CASE
This synthesis article examines conflict-driven mobilization in the protracted Nagorno-Karabakh conflict by integrating findings from five distinct papers. Framed by a multi-level analytical perspective, the paper investigates how micro-level emotional and moral motivations, meso-level group identity and collective dynamics, and macro-level structural inequalities and historical legacies converge to drive conflict-driven mobilization. Drawing upon a qualitative research design that combines document analysis, process tracing, semi-structured interviews, and participatory methodologies, the synthesis addresses the central question: How do interdependent emotional, collective, and structural factors fuel mobilization in protracted conflicts? Looking into evidence from the historical evolution of civic movements to their transformation into armed struggles, the paper reveals that mobilization is not solely a rational, calculated act but is deeply rooted in personal and collective grievances. Furthermore, the integration of participatory approaches underscores the value of context-sensitive research in capturing the lived experiences of conflict-affected communities. Ultimately, the proposed multi-level theory advances existing conceptual frameworks in the sociology of conflict mobilization and offers a heuristic tool for understanding similar dynamics in other protracted conflict zones.
Copyright (c) 2025 Smbatyan, Hayk https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN E-HEALTH LITERACY AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING: A COMPARATIVE STUDY AMONG YOUTH AND ADULTS IN SHIRAZ, IRAN
One of the key factors in societal progress is the improvement and enhancement of individuals' psychological well-being. With increased psychological well-being, individuals gain the ability to solve problems and successfully overcome challenges. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between e-health literacy and psychological well-being among youth and adults in Shiraz, based on Neuman's Health Theory. This study employed a survey method, and the statistical population included all young and adult residents of Shiraz, Iran. Based on Cochran's formula, 600 individuals were selected through stratified random sampling. Data collection tools included questionnaires, and SPSS software was used for statistical analysis. The results indicated a significant relationship between e-health literacy and psychological well-being among both youth and adults in Shiraz. Additionally, multivariate regression analysis showed that the psychological well-being of youth and adults in Shiraz was similar, with no significant differences between the two groups. Based on the findings of this study and Neuman's Health Theory, the higher the level of e-health literacy in a society, the greater the psychological well-being of its individuals. Consequently, society and its members will experience less anxiety, stress, and preoccupation. Therefore, to enhance psychological well-being as a crucial dimension of health and a factor in societal progress, it is recommended to increase the use and improvement of e-health literacy with the help of community members and officials.
Copyright (c) 2025 Sahar Hojatifar, Dr.Majid Movahed Majd, Dr.Serajeddin Mahmoudiani https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE: CULTURAL, SOCIAL, AND INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS OF RISK IN ARMENIA
Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (CSEA) remains a critical yet underreported issue in Armenia due to deeply rooted cultural, social, and legal barriers to reveal potential risks. This study explores the challenges surrounding the disclosure of CSEA cases, examining the roles of victims, families, professionals, and legal institutions in addressing this form of violence. Using a multidisciplinary approach, the research highlights how stigma, fear of social repercussions, and distrust in authorities contribute to the silence surrounding CSEA. The paper also investigates the role of gatekeepers in facilitating or hindering disclosure and research efforts involving child victims. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the need for culturally sensitive methodologies that align with local traditions while maintaining scientific rigor and ethical integrity. Findings suggest that improving legal frameworks, strengthening victim support services, and fostering public awareness are essential steps toward breaking the silence and ensuring child protection in Armenia.
Copyright (c) 2025 Yuliana Melkumyan, Veronika Odinokova, Mira Antonyan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
THE FACULTY OF SOCIOLOGY, YEREVAN STATE UNIVERSITY, TURNS 20։ A Greeting Message to the Professional Community
Copyright (c) 2024 Lyudmila Harutyunyan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
THE STUDY OF IMPACT OF GENDER ROLE ATTIDTURE ON MARITAL SATISFACTION OF EMPLOYED WOMEN AND MEN IN THE CITY OF SARI (NORTHEN IRAN)
The present research tried to identify the level of marital satisfaction of employed women and men and examine the effect of factors affecting their marital satisfaction such as gender attitude in Sari city, Iran. To this end, number of participants were randomly selected for taking part in a survey. After collecting the required data, they were analyzed and their results were presented. According to the results of present study, it was shown that women have more modern attitudes toward gender roles than men, and that men report a higher traditional attitude toward women, which is consistent with many studies also men had more marital satisfaction than women. Also, based on the results of current study, the most influential independent variables on the level of marital satisfaction of the respondents were gender of the respondent, acceptance rate of gender role (traditional) attitude, and the amount of division of gender tasks. Moreover, according to the results, the more traditional participants were the more they were satisfied with their marriage. Also it was revealed that with the increase in the level of perceived fairness of the division of household labor, the level of participation of family members in the division of household labor rose. Also, it was found that by increasing the amount of division of household labor between couples, their marital satisfaction improved. Lastly, this research presents the idea that the acceptance of traditional gender roles among couples as an important aspect of people's beliefs about marriage and family responsibilities and its role in the division of household labor can have a significant relationship with marital satisfaction. Therefore, by carrying out the present study, it was shown that considering the role of gender attitude and its impacts of marital satisfaction should not neglected and it seems there should be further studies to consider some other important factors, including women's employment and men's participation in household labor to reach more reliable results.
Copyright (c) 2025 Mohammad Esmaeil Riahi, Fatemeh Afradi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
EXPLORING SOCIAL PROTEST POTENTIAL IN MODERN ARMENIAN SOCIETY: INSTITUTIONAL TRUST AND SOCIAL-DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS
This study investigates the potential of protests in contemporary Armenian society. Considering the global rise of social protests evolving into significant social movements worldwide and the ongoing movements in Armenia, it is crucial to investigate the protest potential within modern Armenian society. The article is based on secondary data analyses gathered using representative sampling for Armenia and implementing face-to-face interviews conducted by the Caucasus Research Resource Center Armenia (CRRC). The article aims to understand the potential of protests and the factors influencing individuals' inclination toward protest activities. One of the article's main findings is that more than half of the respondents show a propensity for engaging in protest actions. Additionally, several key variables emerge as significant factors influencing this inclination. Among them are sex, education, and marital status play pivotal roles in the decision-making process regarding participation in anti-government protests. Furthermore, place of residence appears to be a determinant, with urban dwellers exhibiting a greater predisposition toward participation in anti-government protests compared to their rural counterparts. There are several reasons why rural inhabitants tend to participate less in protests. Geographical distance, and cultural peculiarities, such as differing social values and community dynamics, may lead to less participation. Additionally, distrust toward main state institutions contributes to the perception that individuals should participate in anti-government protests. Moreover, the study demonstrates that citizens' perceptions of state unfairness and institutional disregard are more significant drivers of potential protest activity than economic conditions.
Copyright (c) 2024 Gayane Harutyunyan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
BEING SECURITY CONSCIOUS: ANALYSING SOCIAL MEDIA SECURITY-ORIENTED MESSAGES IN CREATING SECURITY ALERTNESS IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA
This study investigated the role of social media in creating security alertness in Imo State, Nigeria. The research design for this study was a mixed-methods approach employing survey and content analysis. The data indicated that both Imo State Blog and Imo State New Media Facebook pages featured security-related information but with variable rates. Imo State Blog had 11 security-related postings within one year, whereas Imo State New Media published merely 7 posts over the same period. Also, findings suggested that the majority of people had frequent exposure to security-related posts on social media platforms and were aware of security alertness messages sent through these platforms. It was concluded that social media plays an essential role as a medium for enhancing security alertness and encouraging community safety behaviours within the region.
Copyright (c) 2025 Emeka Williams Etumnu, Lauretta Chinenye Nwosu , Cynthia N. Jumbo , Clinton Chukwuma Ogu , Chukwudumebi Kelechi Amadi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Pazos Alonso, C. (2022). Francisca Wood and Nineteenth-Century Periodical Culture: Pressing for Change. Cambridge: Legenda (Studies in Hispanic and Lusophone Cultures, 35), 250 pp. ISBN 978–1–78188–799–8.
Héloïse Elisabeth Marie-Vincent Ghislaine Ducatteau
Copyright (c) 2024 Héloïse Elisabeth Marie-Vincent Ghislaine Ducatteau https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
TRAUMATIC PAST AND THE POLITICS OF MEMORY: WHAT SHOULD BE AND SHOULD NOT BE THE ARMENIAN APPROACH?
Armenia has a history marked by traumatic and harrowing events. In the 20th century, it endured the Armenian Genocide, recognized as the first genocide of such magnitude committed against an ethnic group by a state government with the intention of erasing all existence and memory of it from the land where the Armenian people originated. A nation that has endured genocide must learn lessons to prevent such atrocities from happening again. Failure to draw the right conclusions and implement appropriate policies in a timely manner can result in similar threats reemerging. Every nation must remember its traumatic events in a manner that enables and encourages necessary policies and actions. If similar risks and threats reappear, it may indicate that the nation has either failed to remember its traumatic past in a way that serves it instrumentally and pragmatically or has not remembered it at all. Have Armenians adequately remembered their Genocide? If so, why is there a resurgence of the risk of another genocide affecting the Armenian population, not only in Karabakh but also in Armenia, in modern times? Do Armenians need to reconsider their politics of memory in this context, and if so, are they doing it correctly? This paper critically addresses these questions, accompanied by a brief conceptual exploration and case studies.
Copyright (c) 2024 Arthur Atanesyan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0