THE POLITICS OF BUILDING CIVIL SOCIETY IN THE SOUTH CAUCASUS: A HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF GEORGIA AND ARMENIA

Year 2024, Volume: 25 Issue: 2, 158 - 179, 30.06.2024

Muharrem Doğan Gökhan Sırmalı

https://doi.org/10.53443/anadoluibfd.1343808

Abstract

This study discusses the development of civil society in Georgia and Armenia after the collapse of the USSR. Both countries in the South Caucasus have unique achievements in civil society activism, but in some ways, they share the same patterns. International donors and foreign assistance have played a crucial role in the development of civil society in both countries. International actors have tried to support civil society activism in these ex-Soviet countries to strengthen democratic values, beliefs, and institutions. While the Georgian ruling elites opened a new dimension of civil society, the Armenian elites did not respond in a way that created space for the development of civil society. One of the main reasons for this is that Armenian civil society has been characterised by the Karabakh issue and the Armenian diaspora has controlled civil society activism for many years. In contrast, relations with the West have become inherent in Georgia, opening up new avenues for the development of civil society.

Keywords

Georgia, Armenia, Civil Society Building, Democracy Promotion, International Influence

GÜNEY KAFKASYA'DA SİVİL TOPLUM İNŞA ETME POLİTİKASI: GÜRCİSTAN VE ERMENİSTAN'A TARİHSEL BİR BAKIŞ

Abstract

Bu çalışma, SSCB'nin dağılmasının ardından, Gürcistan ve Ermenistan sivil toplumunun gelişimini ele almaktadır. Her iki Güney Kafkasya ülkesi de sivil toplum aktivizminde özgün başarılara sahiptir, ancak bazı yönlerden benzerlikler de barındırmaktadır. Uluslararası bağışçılar ve dış yardımlar, her iki ülkede de sivil toplumun gelişiminde önemli rol oynamıştır. Uluslararası aktörler, demokratik değerleri, inançları ve kurumları güçlendirmek için bu eski Sovyet ülkelerinde sivil toplum aktivizmini desteklemişlerdir. Gürcistan yönetici elitleri sivil toplumun yeni bir boyut kazanmasını sağlarken Ermenistan yönetici elitleri buna sivil toplumun gelişimine alan açacak şekilde yanıt vermemiştir. Bunun temel nedeni, Ermeni sivil toplumunun Karabağ sorunu etrafında şekillenmesi ve Ermeni diasporasının uzun yıllar ülkedeki sivil toplum aktivizmini kontrol etmesidir. Hâlbuki Gürcistan'da Batı’yla ilişkilerin içkin hâle gelmesi sivil toplumun gelişmesinde önemli bir rol oynamıştır.

Keywords

Gürcistan, Ermenistan, Sivil Toplum İnşası, Demokrasi Teşviki, Uluslararası Etki

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