Georgia's European Ways


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Deepening EU-Georgian Relations


Book Description

For Georgia, the signing of the Association Agreement and the DCFTA with the European Union in 2014 was an act of strategic geopolitical significance. Of all the EU’s eastern partners, the country has distinguished itself since the Rose Revolution of 2003 by pushing ahead with a radical liberalisation and economic reform agenda. Georgia is also unique among the countries in the region for having largely cleansed its economy and political system of corruption. The purpose of this Handbook is to make the complex political, economic and legal content of the Association Agreement readily understandable. This second edition, published two years into the Agreement’s implementation, adds new value. The Handbook now reflects Georgia’s progress in putting the Agreement into effect. Two teams of researchers from leading independent think tanks, CEPS in Brussels and Reformatics in Tbilisi, collaborated on this project, with the support of the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida). This Handbook is one of a trilogy examining similar Association Agreements made by the EU with Ukraine and Moldova.




Georgia's Bumpy Transition


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"Georgia's post-election transition from the Saakashvili era is proving bumpier than many hoped, with Bidzina Ivanishvili's new coalition government under pressure from enormous public expectations, but without a clear strategy for Georgia's future. A strong helping hand from the EU could make the difference between Georgia growing closer to Europe or turning away. Georgia is still on the long transition from being a nearly-failed state only a decade ago to the well-functioning democracy it hopes to become. Up to now, the EU's Georgia policy has been on autopilot. Now it needs to step up its involvement in the country. This means building trust with the new government and aligning its assistance closely with Georgia's needs - whilst maintaining an impartial assessment of the political developments on the ground. In "Georgia's bumpy transition: how the EU can help" Jana Kobzova argues that Europe should: Send experts to match the financial assistance that it already gives, for instance in areas like regional development and agriculture. Georgia needs such expertise to underpin sustainable growth across its economy -- Be critical of the government when necessary, based on a non-partisan appraisal of the developments on the ground. The treatment of government's political opponents should remain in a spotlight. Europe also needs to communicate better with Georgia's people and its politicians, outlining opportunities from closer integration -- Support the economy, especially shorter term growth orientated initiatives. A failure to improving living standards may lead to the government undermining Georgia's fragile democratic institutions in search of popularity. "Georgia's main political forces face a choice: either they learn to coexist and adopt a democratic political culture or they continue their zero-sum approach to politics. The former would bring Georgia closer to Europe; the latter risks alienating not only the country's society but also its Western allies." Jana Kobzova"--Publisher's description.




The Experiment


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For many the Russian Revolution of 1917 was a symbol of hope. In the eyes of its critics, however, Soviet authoritarianism and the horrors of the gulags have led to the revolution becoming synonymous with oppression, threatening to forever taint the very idea of socialism. The experience of Georgia, which declared its independence from Russia in 1918, tells a different story. In this riveting history, Eric Lee explores the little-known saga of the country’s experiment in democratic socialism, detailing the epic, turbulent events of this forgotten chapter in revolutionary history. Along the way, we are introduced to a remarkable cast of characters – among them the men and women who strove for a more inclusive vision of socialism that featured multi-party elections, freedom of speech and assembly, a free press and a civil society grounded in trade unions and cooperatives. Though the Georgian Democratic Republic lasted for just three years before it was brutally crushed on the orders of Stalin, it was able to offer, however briefly, a glimpse of a more humane alternative to the Soviet reality that was to come.




Russia blocking economic development of Georgia


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Seminar paper from the year 2015 in the subject Economics - International Economic Relations, grade: 1,3, Karlshochschule International University, language: English, abstract: Over centuries, Georgia, as a geopolitical interest for Russia, has been going through the conflicts, wars, and embargos, which have had a huge effect and impact on economic developments of the country. The purpose of this seminar paper is to present and analyse reliable sources and data, which clearly support and as well challenge the argument stated and think about solutions for the international economic relations between two countries. I consider as well very crucial, to see it from different perspectives, to critically identify and measure the facts and the rules which were disobeyed, free trade which has been “governed” by state governments and violated – forgetting the wills and about the well-being of the inhabitants, therefore acting against the initial role of state government, forgetting the responsibilities towards the people living there. Main purpose of this topic is to deeply understand economic difficulties Georgia has been coming across for a long period of time, and what a big role Russia has played in it. I will be discussing and showing the arguments how much the “21st century’s economic relations rules” are disobeyed and disrespected. I will be talking about International Rankings of Georgia, how much the country has advanced since years, showing it in comparison with Russia and other European countries. Wine plays one of the most important roles in the economy of Georgia in case of exports and trading, by banning Georgian wine in Russia, Georgian economy faced a lot of difficulties. Even though, Russia was the number one in exporting Georgian Wine, and Georgia was importing a lot of products from Russia, businesses resumed several times, completely against the free trade and purely for political reasons. Why does it happen so? What is the idea behind it? The most important issues will be briefly but thoroughly discussed in my seminar paper, assuming the reasons and solutions. The topic of corruption in Georgia and Russia, comparing the two and how much Georgia achieved even considering the obstacles it has been facing. Russia forcing Georgia to join Eurasian Union – possible threats, how much illogical it is for Georgia to join, and what kind of development it can have in case of becoming a member of European Union in comparison with Eurasian Union. One of the most obvious facts will be discussed how much Russia has changed Georgian economic development and possible future threats Georgia is already facing.




Georgia


Book Description

This multidisciplinary collection provides a unique insiders' perspective on the major issues in Georgian politics, society, and economics in the twenty-five years since its independence from the Soviet Union.




Supporting Georgia's European Way


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With the signature of the Framework Agreement in 2007, Georgia and the EU bank started long and fruitful cooperation that will celebrate its 10th anniversary this year. A clear vision of developing the country towards closer integration with the European Union has been at the heart of the joint efforts. Mandated by the European Union, the EIB is funding infrastructure projects, the development of the local private sector and climate action investments. In these past years, 19 operations in a wide range of sectors of the economy have been supported at a steadily growing pace. In particular, following the signature of the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area between Georgia and the European Union, the EIB stepped up its support and, at the advent of the 10th anniversary of starting its activities in Georgia, effectively doubled its lending portfolio in the country.




How to Democratize Europe


Book Description

The European Union has long suffered from a lack of democratic accountability. In the past decade, the problem has become particularly acute in the economic management of the Eurozone, the 19 countries of the E.U. that use the Euro (nine members don't). At present, the central institution for management of the Eurozone is the Eurogroup, an informal body led by national finance ministers who report neither to the European Parliament nor to national parliaments but coordinate their activities with the Troika, that is, the European Central Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the European Council. Critics accuse the Eurogroup both of lack of transparency and of consistently putting the interests of the rich northwest ahead of the interests of poorer and smaller nations in the east and south. In How to Democratize Europe, four distinguished French scholars describe the diverse problems of the Eurozone and propose a treaty that would establish a parliament for economic policy consisting of selected members of national parliaments. Various contributors then respond to the proposal with support, criticism, or ideas for alternatives.--




Globalization and Nationalism


Book Description

Argues for an original, unorthodox conception about the relationship between globalization and contemporary nationalism. While the prevailing view holds that nationalism and globalization are forces of clashing opposition, Sabanadze establishes that these tend to become allied forces. Acknowledges that nationalism does react against the rising globalization and represents a form of resistance against globalizing influences, but the Basque and Georgian cases prove that globalization and nationalism can be complementary rather than contradictory tendencies. Nationalists have often served as promoters of globalization, seeking out globalizing influences and engaging with global actors out of their very nationalist interests. In the case of both Georgia and the Basque Country, there is little evidence suggesting the existence of strong, politically organized nationalist opposition to globalization. Discusses why, on a broader scale, different forms of nationalism develop differing attitudes towards globalization and engage in different relationships.Conventional wisdom suggests that sub-state nationalism in the post-Cold War era is a product of globalization. Sabanadze?s work encourages a rethinking of this proposition. Through careful analysis of the Georgian and Basque cases, she shows that the principal dynamics have little, if anything, to do with globalization and much to do with the political context and historical framework of these cases. This book is a useful corrective to facile thinking about the relationship between the ?global? and the ?local? in the explanation of civil conflict. Neil MacFarlane, Lester B. Pearson Professor of International Relations and fellow at St. Anne?s College, Oxford University and chair of the Oxford Politics and International Relations Department.




Georgia's Parliamentary Election


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