ECONOMIC CHANGE AND DEVELOPMENT IN GEORGIA AFTER THE ROSE REVOLUTION: A BOOST TO THE MIKHEIL SAAKASHVILI’S CONSOLIDATION OF AUTHORITY

Abstract

This article examines the economic change and development in Georgia after the Rose Revolution and analyzes its impact on the Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili’s struggle for remaining in power. It also explores the periods of Zviad Gamsakhurdia and Eduard Shevardnadze, the first and second president of Georgia, respectively. The article discusses how Gamsakhurdia’s policies prepared the ground for the emergence of complex problems that would result in weakening of Georgian state in many fields including economy besides bringing about his own removal from power. It lastly puts forward that whereas economic hardship motivated the masses to rise against Shevardnadze in the framework of Rose Revolution, economic development and improved life standards resulted in sustained support for Saakashvili and strengthened his hand against the opposition

Keywords

• Georgia,Mikheil Saakashvili,Rose Revolution,Economic Development

GÜL DEVRİMİ SONRASINDA EKONOMİK DEĞİŞİM VE KALKINMA: MİHAİL SAAKAŞVİLİ’NİN OTORİTESİNİ SAĞLAMLAŞTIRAN BİR ETKEN

Öz

Bu makale Gül Devrimi sonrasında Gürcistan’da ekonomik değişim ve kalkınmayı incelemekte ve bunun Gürcü Devlet Başkanı Mihail Saakaşvili’nin görevde kalma çabasına katkısını analiz etmektedir. Makale aynı zamanda, Gürcistan’ın sırasıyla ilk ve ikinci devlet başkanları olan Zviad Gamsakurdiya ve Eduard Şevardnadze dönemlerini de incelemektedir. Bu çalışma, Gamsakurdiya’nın çeşitli alanlardaki politikalarının karmaşık sorunlar yaratarak kendi sonunu hazırlamak dışında, aynı zamanda devletin ekonomiyi de kapsayan değişik alanlarda zayıflamasına neden olduğunu ortaya koymuştur. Makale son olarak, ekonomik sorunların Gürcü halkını Gül Devrimi çerçevesinde Şevardnadze’ye karşı ayaklanmaya sevkeden önemli bir neden olduğuna ışık tuttuktan sonra, Gül Devrimi sonrasındaki ekonomik değişim ve iyileşmenin Saakaşvili’ye halk desteğini artırarak O’nu muhalefete karşı güçlü bir konumda olmasını sağladığının altını çizmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Gürcistan,Mihail Saakaşvili,Gül Devrimi,Ekonomik Kalkınma

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