THE ROLE OF THE ROSE REVOLUTION IN GEORGIA’S DEMOCRATIZATION PROCESS

Abstract

After the dissolution of the USSR, the former Soviet Bloc countries had to cope with a series of problems in the first years of their independence, especially the transition to a free market economy, economic development, nation-state building. With the declaration of independence in 1991, Georgia experienced an uprising that led to the disruption of the country’s territorial integrity. This hot conflict environment in Georgia has hindered the country’s democratisation path, and preserving its territorial integrity has become the most important issue for Georgia. The lack of internal stability has led to the existence of weak state institutions, lack of development of civil society and lack of socio-economic development.  In addition, while Russia’s coercive diplomacy affected Georgian politics in the post-independence period, only in the early 2000s, with the strengthening of the geopolitical position of the country, Western countries, especially the USA, started to develop policies towards Georgia. Especially the existence of energy transit projects and the fact that Georgia is on the transit route have revealed the importance of Georgia’s internal stability and security.

The colour revolutions, which rapidly manifested themselves in the former Soviet Bloc countries, took place in Georgia in 2003 under the name of the Rose Revolution. As a result of the movement, which constituted an important turning point in Georgian politics, Georgia’s long-standing Russian-oriented state tradition came to an end and a series of reform efforts were initiated to create a more democratic and modern state in Western norms. As a result of the acceleration of the democratic transformation process, energy transit projects involving the country gained momentum.

In this study, internal and external factors in Georgia’s democratisation process since its independence will be discussed. The changing face of Georgia with the Rose Revolution will be analysed and the impact of leaders and civil society on the transformation process will be evaluated.

Key Words: Rose Revolution, Georgia, Democratization Process, Nation- State Building.