Civic Activism as a Novel Component of Armenian Civil Society

Explanations of such popularity are usually limited to confessions by activists that it was
not originally their aim to become popular (when they created a social media profile). However,
they ultimately became popular because the platform provided such an opportunity.
Regarding the damaging role of social media, in terms of encouraging slacktivism instead of
physical activism, one participant highlights, “From time to time we would say, ‘...the revolution
is not going to be broadcasted. Get out of the social media, and come out on the street..!’”
Activist, Male, 25
8.2.4. Civic Initiatives: How to Improve?
It is important for civic initiatives to promote their agendas through carefully planned and
accurate cooperation with the media. Any initiative should be able to communicate its core
messages to a larger audience. In Armenia, the traditional media remain still popular, and
therefore a large segment of the population cannot be accessed solely via social media. To ensure
better outreach to the population, initiatives should have an effective strategy to make their
points heard.
Moreover, to be successful, activists have to develop healthy critical thinking based on
evidence, as opposed to emotions and blind disagreement with authorities. Concerns have to be
framed and addressed in an educated way, supported by research. Only then will it be possible to
achieve tangible results. Struggles based on emotions, anecdotal evidence and mere
disagreement are just trump cards in the hands of the ruling few. Civil society can and should do
better than that. In the words of an activist,
“Civic initiatives in Armenia need a well-designed strategy, clarity of purpose, precise
tactics, communication channels, and consolidated decisions. These are the tools which
will lead to success. The tools are there. We just need to make appropriate use of them.
We need to use them.” Male, 37
The study participants are of the opinion that public’s sole hope for change rests with
civic uprising; other traditional or official channels are ineffective, either due to a lack of
political will, or a variety of barriers which even the ruling administration is incapable to
overcome.
“Serious politicians approach us with a serious face and say ‘you should raise the issue of
President’s withdrawal’... It was almost funny to realise they approach a civic initiative
with such a purpose, when he happens to be an experienced politician, with many years of
political experience behind [him]. Today they approach an initiative which is organised
simply to fight against a service delivery issue. How bad the situation of a country must be,
when the people attach their hope to initiatives, which do not represent an institutional
body, do not have any funding, and simply join the struggle after 6 PM.” Activist, Male, 28
75