NEW SOCIAL MOVEMENTS IN AZERBAIJAN: AN ASSESSMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF DEMOCRACY, IDENTITY, AND DIGITAL ACTIVISM

This study is a literature review that examines the new social movements emerging in Azerbaijan in the context of democracy, identity, and digital activism. The research is not based on the collection of empirical data; rather, it offers a theoretical evaluation grounded in national and international academic studies, reports, and media analyses. By examining both the historical background and the contemporary forms of new social movements, the study aims to make a theoretical contribution to the field of social movement research in Azerbaijan. It evaluates the new social movements that have emerged in Azerbaijan in recent years within the frameworks of democracy, identity, and digital activism. The growing demand for political participation, the redefinition of cultural identity, and especially the increasing visibility of younger generations through digital platforms constitute the core dynamics of social mobilization in the country. Unlike traditional forms of protest, these new movements are characterized by more flexible, network-based, and horizontally organized structures. However, the centralized governance system, the limited public sphere, and distrust in information circulation partially hinder the development of these movements. Nevertheless, the rapid communication enabled by digital media facilitates the expression of diverse social groups and expands the space for democratic debate. In this regard, new social movements can be considered an important source of social dynamism in Azerbaijan, contributing both to the transformation of political culture and to the growth of democratic awareness in society.