CONTEMPORARY POLITICAL PROCESS IN GEORGIA
Abstract
The study of political processes in the Southern Caucasus, one of the most complex and conflict-prone regions of the world, poses a great interest. Post-Soviet transformation of the political regimes of the South Caucasian countries has generally turned out to be rather complicated and painful. The Soviet legacy, the difficulties of adapting Western-style democracy to post-Soviet realities, manifestations of authoritarianism, civil wars, ethnic conflicts, and the economic crisis have all left their mark on the nation-building process in the countries of the Southern Caucasus. Each of these states, in turn, has chosen its own path in developing its political system and building its own democratic architecture. Also important in these geopolitical processes is the role of rivalry along the Russia-the West axis.
Georgia was distinguished among the South Caucasian states by what may have been the most complex state formation process and a difficult transition from socialism to capitalism. This country is still characterized by a weak institutional nature of the political system, elements of authoritarianism, and the general instability of democracy. The study of these problematic aspects of Georgia’s internal political processes is highly relevant.
This article is devoted to identifying the characteristics of the transformation of the post-Soviet Georgia’s political landscape.
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