Fourth Republic as an Evolution of Armenia’s Identity Model in Context of Foreign Policy Processes
( Pp. 42-47)
More about authors
Tikhonov Yury P.
postgraduate student; lecturer, Department of Foreign Regional Studies and International Cooperation, Faculty of International Regional Studies and Regional Management
Institute of Public Administration and Civil Service of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration
Moscow, Russian Federation
Institute of Public Administration and Civil Service of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration
Moscow, Russian Federation
Abstract:
The article is devoted to the evolution of Armenia’s national identity model from a historically entrenched “cultural-confessional” paradigm towards a politically framed identity associated with the project of the Fourth Republic. Based on ethno-symbolist theory, the author specifies the foundations of Armenian historical identity such as historical memory, language and culture, the church and diaspora and their role in pan-Armenian identity formation. The study traces the post-1991 search for a new state identity in the context of Armenia’s Third Republic and influencing external factors. Particular attention is paid to the 2007 and 2020 National Security Strategies statements, as well as the ideology of Nikol Pashinyan’s “Real Armenia,” that shifts the emphasis from historical Armenia and pan-Armenian concept to a civic “Real Armenia” within internationally recognized state borders. The author gives arguments about the risks of the state distancing itself from the traditional pan-Armenian agenda, centered on the issues of Nagorno-Karabakh, the Armenian Church, and the diaspora. In the context of the upcoming parliamentary elections in June 2026, the author draws conclusions on the potential risks of foreign policy influence from external actors (the European Union, Turkey, Azerbaijan) on the constitutional formulation of the new identity within the framework of the Fourth Republic. External influence may create a dangerous precedent, increasing Armenia’s dependency and threatening both its sovereignty and its historically rooted national identity.
How to Cite:
Tikhonov, Yu.P. (2026). Fourth Republic as an evolution of Armenia’s identity model in context of foreign policy processes. Sociopolitical Sciences, 16(2), 42–47. DOI: 10.33693/2223-0092-2026-16-2-42-47. EDN: QAMFEL
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Marabyan K.P. Theoretical and practical fundamentals for Armenia’s national security strategy. MGIMO Review of International Relations. 2013. No. 1 (28). Pp. 83–88. (In Rus.). DOI: 10.24833/2071-8160-2013-1-28-83-88.
Development of civil identity in the Republic of Armenia: Trends, challenges, risks. Collective monograph. O.L. Sarkisyan (ed.-in-chief). Yerevan: RAU Publishing House, 2023. 258 p. EDN: CJVAWR.
Semenenko I.S., Lapkin V.V., Bardin A.L., Pantin V.I. Between state and nation: Dilemmas of identity politics in the post-soviet space. Polis. Political Studies. 2017. No. 5. Pp. 54–78. (In Rus.). DOI: 10.17976/jpps/2017.05.05.
Tirabyan K.K. The role of religion in the formation of the Armenian Diaspora in the Russian Federation. Administrative Consulting. 2018. No. 5 (113). Pp. 184–191. (In Rus.). DOI: 10.22394/1726-1139-2018-5-184-191. EDN: XYNQUH.
Tikhonov Yu.P. Features country communication regime of Republic of Armenia in context of its foreign policy interests. Eurasian Union: Issues of International Relations. 2025. Vol. 14. No. 5 (70). Pp. 1292–1300. (In Rus.)
Selvelli G. Alphabet and writing in the Armenian Diaspora of Plovdiv: Anthropological and sociolinguistic perspectives. Mediterranean Language Review. 2015. No. 22. Pp. 157–188.
Smith A.D. Ethno-symbolism and nationalism: A cultural approach. London: Routledge, 2009. 192 p.
Keywords:
identity, Armenia, national interests, historical memory, N. Pashinyan, foreign policy.
