Vestnik (series: humanities and social sciences), №4/2024

Tavadyan Ag., Tavadyan E. The paradox of tax revenues: challenges and prospects for Armenia's tax policy (PDF) 📥

ABSTRACT. This study presents a analysis of the paradoxical situation in Armenia's tax policy for the period 2018–2024. The authors reveal the unexpected consequences of the government's strategy, which made the growth of tax revenues a key performance indicator. Using innovative methods of statistical and comparative analysis, the work demonstrates how an seemengly successful approach to increasing tax collections began to create obstacles for sustainable economic growth. The authors identify potential risks of the current tax model, present the need for and ways of tax reforms. The paper presents the relationship between fiscal policy and economic growth. The approaches to analyzing tax revenues proposed by the authors can be applied not only in Armenia, but also in other countries with transition economies.
Keywords:  tax policy, economic growth, Armenia, tax revenues, fiscal policy.

Manukyan I. Analysis of the “RO-MD” as a unique cross-border SMES cluster of the Republic of Moldova (PDF) 📥

ABSTRACT.  Given the increasing interest of countries in the implementation of cluster approach to regional SMEs development and considering the tendencies of clusters to operate simultaneously in several markets, cross-border structuring becomes particularly crucial and, hence, such structures can serve as comprehensive competitive advantages of countries. The following article covers the analysis of a unique Moldova-based “RO-MD”cross-border cluster of small and mediumsized enterprises. Within the study, “RO-MD”was examined from the position of interactions of Triple Helix components. A benchmarking analysis, encompassing the study of “Medicon Valley” (specializing in medicine) and “Bio Valley” (specializing in innovative biotechnology), was carried out. Altough these cross-border clusters do not operate in the same industry as “RO-MD”, the conducted analysis provided comparative insights and facilitated the identification of potential ways for improvement of “RO-MD”, which were described at the end of the articles.
Keywords: regional clusters; cross-border cluster of small- and mediumsized enterprises; winetourism business clustering; Triple Helix; benchmarking analysis; business clustering of Moldova.

Melkonyan G. Comparative analysis of pension funds asset management mechanisms in OECD countries and Armenia (PDF) 📥

ABSTRACT. In the framework of a comparative analysis of pension systems of different OECD countries and Armenia, the issue of distribution of pension assets by pension fund management companies in these countries was studied. Also, the indicator of geometric average return on investment in a five-year, ten-year, fifteen-year and twenty-year time interval was considered. The ratio of new participants in the pension fund was studied in the context of percentage correlation with the increase in pension contributions. The author also considered the indicators of pension contributions, payments and their either positive or negative difference in the study. As a result, the author comes to the conclusion about the similarity of the main problems associated with liquidity, increasing risk and decreasing profitability indicators, which essentially change the nature and essence of pension funds both in developed countries and in Armenia.
Keywords:  pension fund, liquidity, pension receipts, risk, profitability.

Ter-Vardanyan A. Analysis of types of democracy and its determining substance according to Aristotle (PDF) 📥

ABSTRACT. The article is devoted to the study of two theoretical issues that are important for a meaningful understanding of ancient democracy. The first subject of the study is the types of democracy proposed by Aristotle and the reason for their quantitative discrepancy in various classifications, in one of which he speaks of five, and in the other two - of four types. The second subject is the analysis and clarification of the defining substance of democracy according to Stagirite. The aim of the article is to comprehend the Aristotelian, and therefore the
ancient understanding of democracy. The results of the study can be used to solve a wide range of scientific problems, such as the problem of periodization of Athenian democracy, a comparative study of subsequent transformations of the understanding of democracy, the problem of its definition, etc. The author mainly uses a comparative research method.
Keywords: Aristotle, types of democracy, substance of democracy, freedom, equality, definition of democracy.

Margaryan N. Political dimension of the transport-logistic system of the state (PDF) 📥

ABSTRACT. The article is devoted to the analysis of problems of definition of the concept of “transport-logistic system” of the state, as well as the need to consider issues related to the transport and logistics system through the prism of domestic and foreign policy challenges and threats, which is due to the role of the transport and logistics system in the functioning of the state as a whole. The article substantiates the thesis that the tendency to consider issues related to the transport-logistic system of the state exclusively from the standpoint of economic processes does not allow to fully assess and predict the challenges and threats generated in the spheres of politics and international relations, while transport and logistics problems often have a direct impact on ongoing domestic and foreign policy processes.
Keywords: transport sector, transport and logistics system, national security, transport policy.

Tunyan A. Main issues of Internet Service Provider's liability for copyright infringement (PDF) 📥 

ABSTRACT. The article highlights the challenges of copyright protection in the contextof the Internet. As the Internet's primary function is tofacilitate information transfer, the issue of copyright infringement has become increasingly relevant, allowing users to access vast amounts of information without restrictions. The article explores the division of liability for copyright infringement between Internet Service Providers and infringing users. While some argue that Internet Service Providers should be held accountable for copyright violations, others contend that responsibility lies with the users. Additionally, the article discusses international approaches to regulating Internet Service Providers liability for copyright infringement, highlighting the importance of coordinated efforts across jurisdictions. The article concludes that althoughInternet Service Providers are not the initiators of copyright infringement, they play a critical role in suppressing illegal activities on the network
Keywords: Internet Service Provider, copyright, infringement, copyright holder, information, liability.

Arshakyan M. Full Protection and Security standard in times of armed conflicts (PDF) 📥

ABSTRACT. This article explores the “Full Protection and Security” (FPS) standard, commonly included in bilateral and multilateral investment treaties. The focus is on the impact of armed conflicts on the interpretation and application of this standard. Key issues include the limits of host state obligations, their transformation during armed conflicts, and the interaction between the FPS standard and other investment protection standards, such as “Fair and Equitable Treatment” (FET). The author examines arbitral case law, including disputes related to conflicts in Libya, Crimea, Sri Lanka, and other regions, where issues of adherence to obligation of due diligence were raised as consequence of armed conflicts. The study concludes that armed conflicts alter the threshold for expected due diligence by host states but do not entirely exempt them from responsibility. The article emphasizes balancing investors' reasonable expectations with the host state's objective capacities in times of crisis. This research contributes to the development of a more unified approach to the FPS standard, enhancing the predictability and stability of investment protection in unstable environments.
Keywords: Full protection and security, investments, armed conflicts, investment treaties, due diligence.

Sandoyan E., Voskanyan M., Stepanyan I. Research on working hours of educational and support staff at the Russian-Armenian University (PDF) 📥

ABSTRACT. This article highlights the significance and role of administrative, managerial, and educational support staff in ensuring the smooth operation of a university. The study focused on examining the working hours of these staff members at the Russian-Armenian University. Over six months, a time-tracking study was conducted by recording their working hours. Based on the findings, measures were proposed to improve the efficiency of university staff.
Keywords: time-tracking study, higher education institutions, administrative staff, managerial staff, educational support staff, efficiency improvement.

Gabrielyan A. Teacher’s role in implementing integrated curriculum (PDF) 📥

ABSTRACT. This article explores the role of teachers in implementing an integrated curriculum, particularly in the context of foreign language education. It defines the integrated curriculum approaches, the interdisciplinary connections through various subject areas. We emphasize the characteristics of the integrated curriculum. We dwell on how interdisciplinary curriculum benefits the students based on the holistic nature of the social life surrounding the students. This happens through allowing curriculum mirror social life. The teacher as the key figure of the learning and teaching process. It emphasizes that the teacher's role is central to the success of this approach, as they must plan, execute, assess lessons and blend subjects into cohesive learning experiences. This also stresses the importance of the teacher being flexible, collaborating with interested parties and overall the essence of the teacher’s role. Practical examples are provided, such as using project-based learning and collaborative group work to integrate subjects like English, economics, and history. Through this we are able to cultivate lifelong learning and the development of well-rounded, informed individuals..
Keywords: Integrated curriculum, interdisciplinary teaching, foreign language education, teacher’s role, holistic learning.

Sargsyan R. The parable of the prodigal son and the archetype of the “prodigal son” in the novels of Dina Rubina (PDF) 📥

ABSTRACT. The article is devoted to the peculiarities of the interpretation of the parable of the prodigal son and the archetype of the “prodigal son” in Dina Rubina's novel “The White Dove of Cordoba” and in the trilogies “The Russian Canary” and “Napoleon's Train”. The process of remythologization of literature that began in the 20th century has led to the fact that archetypal structures and images are widely used in modern literary works to create multi-layered and symbolically rich texts that interpret textbook general cultural models in a new way.
These include biblical (Old Testament, New Testament and apocalyptic) images and schemes, which in modern fiction may deviate from the traditional interpretation of images and meanings. Having set the task of studying the features of the implementation of the parable of the prodigal son and its key images in the novels of Dina Rubina “The White Dove of Cordoba”, “The Russian Canary” and “Napoleon'sTrain” and having applied descriptive, comparative and analytical methods, it can be noted that in order to form the plot model and the image of the main character in her novels, the writer uses both the Gospel and Hasidic versions of this parable, actualizes various interpretations of the word “prodigal” in the expression “prodigal son”, and also transforms the traditional system of characters of the parable, using the techniques of “doubleness”, ekphrasis, and the technique of “name change” characteristic of her work. The traditional mythologemes of the parable of the prodigal son in these works by Rubina are interpreted as key concepts for her worldview: family, home, path, self-identification, and return to oneself.
Keywords: remythologization, deconstruction, the parable of the prodigal son, “male” and “female” versions, ekphrasis, the technique of “doubleness” and “change of name”.