Local Self-Government Reform in the Perceptions of Residents of Armenia’s Enlarged Communities

Abstract

This article examines the processes of community enlargement as a key dimension of local government reform and the decentralization of territorial governance in Armenia. Drawing on institutional and sociological approaches, it explores the prerequisites and mechanisms of reform implementation, its political and administrative frameworks, as well as a comparative perspective with the experience of the Russian Federation. Particular attention is given to the perceptions of the reform among residents of Armenia’s enlarged communities. A sociological survey was conducted in the spring of 2024 among 600 residents of 19 enlarged communities across 10 regions of the Republic of Armenia, using a standardized questionnaire and structured interviews. The aim of the study was to assess residents’ awareness of the reform, along with the challenges linked to its implementation and its implications for community life. To ensure data reliability and representativeness, a five-stage cluster probability sampling method was employed. The findings demonstrate that public attitudes are shaped by the intersection of strong territorial identity and limited involvement in governance processes. Although residents show considerable interest in reform-­related information, civic engagement remains low, indicating an external locus of control and weak participatory channels. Positive yet tolerant attitudes toward community leaders fail to translate into active participation. The study concludes that the success of institutional reforms in local governance depends not only on administrative decisions but also on strengthening citizen agency, expanding participatory practices, and cultivating an internal locus of control as the basis for sustainable community development.