PSIA Seminar Discusses Global Fascism and the Armenian Genocide

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YEREVAN, Armenia – On March 2, 2015, the American University of Armenia (AUA)’s Political Science & International Affairs (PSIA) program held a seminar on ‘Global Fascism and the Armenian Genocide: Revisiting Forgotten Parallels,’ with PSIA Senior Lecturer Dr. Vahram Ter-Matevosyan. The event was held as part of AUA’s 1915 Centennial series, as well as part of a series of PSIA seminars that are held every Monday at 3:30 PM. Dr. Simon Clarke, Chair of the PSIA program, introduced the speaker.

Dr. Vahram Ter-Matevosyan presented his ongoing research that examines the parallels between the global fascism and Turkish regime of the early 20th century. Until recently, there has been little interest in the Turkish experience with fascism, treating it as a purely European phenomenon unsuitable for non-European contexts. However, literature has emerged that offers an alternative framework to the study of fascism outside of Europe, which is also known as a “Global fascism”. Dr. Ter-Matevosyan’s paper is an effort to look at the emergence of the fascist ideological currents in Ottoman Turkey and examine their impact on the emergence of their genocidal policies.

Dr. Ter-Matevosyan presented some of the general characteristics and misconceptions about fascism, the dominant perceptions of Turkish experience with fascism, and the intellectual origins of fascism in Turkey. The talk revolved around conceptual, theoretical, and methodological problems related with the “Turkish Fascism” phenomenon. The author concluded that the peculiarities the Turkish regime went through have much in common with the fascist regime.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia and affiliated with the University of California. AUA provides a global education in Armenia and the region, offering high-quality, graduate and undergraduate studies, encouraging civic engagement, and promoting public service and democratic values.

Dr. Vahram Ter-Matevosyan presents on ‘Global Fascism and the Armenian Genocide: Revisiting Forgotten Parallels’

The event was held as part of AUA’s 1915 Centennial series, as well as part of a series of PSIA seminars that are held every Monday at 3:30 PM

Dr. Vahram Ter-Matevosyan presented his ongoing research that examines the parallels between the global fascism and Turkish regime of the early 20th century