Recep CENGİZ

The Armenian issue, which is complex and multi-dimensional, is closely intertwined with almost all social sciences, particularly, sociology, history and politics. In the period following the break-up / regression of the Ottoman Empire, groups taking part in ethnic conflicts demanded the formation of a nation-state, re-definition of national identity and determination of the properties of majority/minority relations. In the Turkish-Armenian conflict, the social and cultural heritage, language and religion of Armenians were decisive factors. Armenians, who were one of the multi-ethnic subjects of the Ottoman Empire, continue to fight over and discuss the old and new characteristics of their historic and cultural properties. That the debates on the Armenian issue are centered in the United States and Europe can be explained by the fact that the global political power has shifted to these centers and the current power of the Armenian diaspora is mainly settled there. For this reason, the debate about the events of 1915 in Turkey becomes important in terms of both external and internal social dynamics. In this context, how Armenian issue is defined in the Western world turns into a sociological matter. This study can also be considered as an attempt towards this goal.

Key Words: Ethnicity, Politics, Genocide, Diaspora, Media