The Politics of Building Civil Society in the South Caucasus: A Historical Overview of Georgia and Armenia

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.