Georgian foreign policy towards Russia: Comparison of the Saakashvili and Ivanishvili era

Bc. Eva KARLÍKOVÁ

Master's thesis

Georgian foreign policy towards the Russian federation. A comparison of the Saakashvili and Ivanishvili era.

Abstract:

The thesis deals with the foreign policy of Georgia towards Russia. It is a diachronic qualitative comparison of two specific consecutive eras - Saakashvili era (2004-2012) and Ivanishvili era (2012-2020) characterized by the rule of two influential decision-making actors - Mikheil Saakashvili and Bidzina Ivanishvili who both served on one of the highest political posts in Georgia in the past two decades. The aim of the work is, firstly, to analyse the differences between both eras in the factors that influenced the Georgian foreign policy towards Russia and, secondly, to analyse the differences in the outcomes of the Georgian foreign policy towards Russia in both eras. The comparison is based on to the list of variables reflecting political, socio-economic, military, legislative, international and other factors and shows the sequence of events and decisions that were taken in the foreign policy making processes in Georgia in relation to Russia. This work seeks to understand the foreign policy decision-making process in Georgia by pointing out particular events, historical facts and consequences and thus to understand the changes not only in the Georgian foreign policy but also in the development of the relations between Georgia and Russia. The work points out to particular areas in which the differences between the two eras are evident - as for both the impacts and the outcomes of the Georgian foreign policy towards Russia.

Abstract:

The thesis deals with the foreign policy of Georgia towards Russia. It is a diachronic qualitative comparison of two specific consecutive eras - Saakashvili era (2004-2012) and Ivanishvili era (2012-2020) characterized by the rule of two influential decision-making actors - Mikheil Saakashvili and Bidzina Ivanishvili who both served on one of the highest political posts in Georgia in the past two decades. The aim of the work is, firstly, to analyse the differences between both eras in the factors that influenced the Georgian foreign policy towards Russia and, secondly, to analyse the differences in the outcomes of the Georgian foreign policy towards Russia in both eras. The comparison is based on the list of variables reflecting political, socio-economic, military, legislative, international and other factors and shows the sequence of events and decisions that were taken in the foreign policy making processes in Georgia in relation to Russia. This work seeks to understand the foreign policy decision-making process in Georgia by pointing out particular events, historical facts and consequences and thus to understand the changes not only in the Georgian foreign policy but also in the development of the relations between Georgia and Russia. The work points out particular areas in which the differences between the two eras are evident - as for both the impacts and the outcomes of the Georgian foreign policy towards Russia.

Keywords

Gruzie, Rusko, zahraniční politika, komparativní analýza

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 23. 6. 2021

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: Mgr. Markéta Žídková, Ph.D.

Palacký University Olomouc

Faculty of Arts

Master programme / field:
Politics / European Studies and International Relations