SOCIO-ECONOMIC POTENTIAL OF THE ARMENIAN DIASPORA IN THE CONTEXT OF EAEU INTEGRATION

The problems in the formation of the diaspora’s socio-economic potential are poorly studied by modern science. The article defines the notion of the diaspora’s socio-economic potential. The factors that determine the uniqueness of the Armenian diaspora phenomenon are identified, including professional specialization specifics, labor skills, ethnic entrepreneurship, aggregation of property and capital, socio-demographic structure, corporatism, social solidarity and cohesion and social capital. The Armenian diaspora, which formed in Russia in the 17th century, is a conventional diaspora with deep historical roots. Its influence on the economy, social policy, culture, interethnic relations and other spheres of life of the population in the host country and country of origin is steadily increasing. New opportunities for continued development of the Armenian diaspora opened up along with the creation of the Eurasian Economic Union in the post-Soviet space and Armenia’s accession to the EAEU. The secret of the advancement of the Armenian diaspora as an ethnocultural and ethnopolitical phenomenon is rooted in the peculiarities of formation of its socio-economic potential throughout the entire history of good-neighborly relations between Russia and Armenia. A methodological strategy and an applied sociological research model, as well as tools for studying the Armenian diaspora’s socio-economic potential in the context of EAEU integration processes have been created. In order to study the problem further, authors intend to conduct a questionnaire survey and in-depth interviews in the Moscow agglomeration, Krasnoyarsk and Stavropol regions, which will allow to reveal the attitude of members of the Armenian diaspora to various aspects of life: migration and repatriation intentions, the degree of cohesion and corporatism, subjective assessments of the contribution of the Armenian diaspora to Russia’s and Armenia’s socio-economic development, as well as to assess the EAEU integration trends. Based on the results of the sociological study, scientific recommendations will be developed to improve the efficiency of using the Armenian diaspora’s socio-economic potential for the sake of improving the quality of life and social well-being of citizens of Russia and Armenia, and the advancement of EAEU integration processes.