Interpreting Relations between Armenian Nationalism, Maxism and the Armenian Apostolic Church

Abstract

This study aims to criticize the current view and propose a different perspective on Armenian nationalism by revealing that Armenian nationalism had been derived from Marxism, instead of the understanding that Marxism and Armenian nationalism are opposite from each other. The questions of the study are how Marxism formed the backbone of Armenian nationalism and how the Armenian Apostolic Church was affected by Marxism. Although Armenian nationalism seems to be anti-Marxist, it is interpreted as “left-wing peripheral” nationalism derived from Marxism considering the views to have been influenced by and the Marxist elements contained within Armenian organizations. On the other hand, Armenian nationalism also carries the dimension of "central nationalism" based on chauvinism, and this situation indicates that the revolution and class conflict cannot completely get rid of nationalism. Looking at the Armenian Apostolic Church, while the church had a conservative structure against Marxism, the influence of Armenian nationalists and Marxists increased within its own structure due to the situation created by the Armenian National Constitution, and ultimately the church began to act together with the Armenian nationalism based on Marxism.

Keywords

• ermeni milliyetçiliği
• marksizm
• sol-çevre milliyetçilik
• ermeni kilisesi
• ermeni millet nizamnamesi
• armenian nationalism
• marxism
• left-wing peripheral nationalism
• armenian apostolic church
• armenian national constitution