Post-Velvet Transformations in Armenia: Fighting an Oligarchic Regime

Abstract

Nikol Pashinyan's rise to power was fuelled by resentment over cronyism, corruption, and poor governance by the ruling elite. The April 2018 revolution that happened in Armenia has garnered many names - the velvet revolution, the white revolution, the revolution of smiles . all of which serve to highlight its non-violent nature. In June 2018, Pashinyan's new team initiated a thorough audit of corrupt former officials and some of the country's oligarchs. This study examines informal economic practices and anti-corruption measures in Armenia through a methodology based on interviews and media analysis.