Papers by Tamar charkviani
International Journal of Area Studies, 2014
It is a widely accepted notion that the major change brought by the 2003 November revolution in G... more It is a widely accepted notion that the major change brought by the 2003 November revolution in Georgia was the reform of the public services. Two major tasks were to be achieved for the state institutions: to monopolize the use of legitimate power on the state territory and to start providing services to the citizens. Police reform was at the heart of both these objectives. The major obstacle identified on the way of this reform was corruption. Indeed it was widely known that posts in police forces were to be purchased; policemen were involved in organized crime, extortion, and other illegal pursuits. But the corruption itself was the effect of the broader system in which patrimonial system of not distinguishing between the public office and private sphere was hybridized with the legal-rational rule, having its origin in the Soviet Union. The main subject of our research is to analyze the model of informal power network in Georgian police, to describe its configurations and identif...
GEORGIAN SCIENTISTS, Jul 28, 2022
The aim of the paper is to describe the current situation in Georgia in relevance to establishing... more The aim of the paper is to describe the current situation in Georgia in relevance to establishing the principles of gender equality in local self-government and identification of needs / requirements in order to improve the situation in the future in terms of budget, services, planning, legislation and promoting women's socioeconomic and political life. The purpose of the research is to analyze the current situation in the field of gender at the local level and to study the institutional mechanisms for ensuring gender equality in Georgia.
Romanian Journal of Political Science, 2013
Introduction Georgia is considered to be a "post-Soviet" state, a "transitional/tr... more Introduction Georgia is considered to be a "post-Soviet" state, a "transitional/transforming society" and a "young democracy". In a transitional society, the weakening of various systems brings about the necessity to transform and institutionalise social institutions and practices. This process is reflected in all spheres of social life. One of the main parts of this transformation process remains with state/public institutions, which determine working and living conditions and the ability of the population to adapt to new conditions. The level of state development depends on the reforms that are carried out in the country--on the norms, standards and "game rules" functioning formally or informally. Effective reforms in all areas are an important priority, but, unfortunately, the incompetence of human resources and lack of social capital hinder both their understanding at a strategic level and their practical implementation. This undermines the political, economic and social stability of the country, and the trust accorded to government and its reputation in society. It is extremely important for a transforming country to adapt to global changes in regard to economic and meritocratic principles. This requires a high level of professionalism, contemporary knowledge, leadership skills, a wide range of strategic thinking and ethical norms in the fields of managing both state and public institutions. It should be pointed out that the political-economic systems of most countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) are based on meritocratic values. In order to integrate with developed western countries and establish standards corresponding to the norms of Euro-Atlantic structures, Georgia has to choose a strategy based on meritocratic principles, which will help the improvement of the economic, political and social environment of the country. Commonness in Soviet and post-Soviet ways of government and informal practices is especially problematic in state institutions, as the state is the first guarantor vis-a-vis the protection and regulation of legal norms. One of the main aims of this article is the description of strategies for public service management and analyses of factors assisting/hindering the formation of the new type of management--meritocracy. Methodology The object of this article is represented by the public services in Georgia and the public servants employed there. The selection of public servants included those of different rank and those employed in different public institutions (ministries, the State Chancellery, the Public Defender's Office, etc.). The timeframe for the present research is the period after the Rose Revolution - from 2003 to 2012. A sociological approach to the issue of managing state/public services involved a review of social institutions and management principles in the context of a transforming state and society. For the implementation of the aims and objectives of this research and for the acquisition of exhaustive/objective information on the subject under study, first of all a theoretical study has been undertaken. We have studied the main concepts of the bureaucratic system, social networks and social capital, the formation and functioning of social institutions, management systems, communication processes and information circulation etc. Apart from this, the information about the professional and labour activities of public servants was discovered through the analysis of relevant written sources - these included both documents connected with public services (ratings, administrative documents) and those connected with job markets (CVs, HR department materials, etc.). This enabled a study of general tendencies and the classification of similar or homogeneous facts. Also, it allowed for the identification of the public servants' career progress and the criteria met by public servants that permitted their career advancement. …
State, Religion and Church in Russia and Worldwide, 2016
The aim of this article is to analyze the presence of the Georgian Orthodox Church in the public ... more The aim of this article is to analyze the presence of the Georgian Orthodox Church in the public life, and the limits of such presence. The Church's high influence is in correlation with spreading its growing involvement in almost all areas of social life. The emphasis is made upon the role of the Orthodox Church in the political process, which is studied and interpreted on the basis of the sociological surveys. These data are further supported by the analysis of the opinions of civil society actors and the church sermons by the clergy. In addition, the article discusses the attitudes of young people toward the process of secularization. The article measures specific indicators, which, in our opinion, is the best way to identify value orientations of the Georgian youth. The surveys were carried out in 2014 and 2015.
The aim of the paper is to describe the current situation in Georgia in relevance to establishing... more The aim of the paper is to describe the current situation in Georgia in relevance to establishing the principles of gender equality in local self-government and identification of needs / requirements in order to improve the situation in the future in terms of budget, services, planning, legislation and promoting women's socio-economic and political life. The study emphasizes the importance of differentiating when identifying the needs of female and male officials in self-government.
GEORGIAN SCIENTISTS
A theoretical and methodological approach of the paper is the analysis of general neopatrimonial ... more A theoretical and methodological approach of the paper is the analysis of general neopatrimonial and social network theories – to understand both the dominant trend and variations in reform trajectories in Georgian civil service. This work introduces the concepts of neopatrimonialism, bureaucracy, meritocracy and informal networks examining their origins and defining characteristics. This is followed by consideration of the nature of the public sector in Georgia, exploring the implications of neopatrimonialism for public sector capacity and performance. In setting up the contrast between neopatrimonial and meritocratic bureaucracies, we have chosen to emphasize two points that lend themselves to relatively objective empirical assessment. The first is the importance of meritocratic recruitment, ideally based on some combination of education and examination, second is a predictable career ladder, which provides long term tangible and intangible rewards for those who have been recruite...
European journal of gynaecological oncology, 1993
2195 patients affected by endometrial carcinoma were treated at the Tbilisi and the St. Petersbur... more 2195 patients affected by endometrial carcinoma were treated at the Tbilisi and the St. Petersburg Oncological Institutes from 1968 to 1987. The incidence of different stages was respectively: I 78.8%; II 11.6%; III 9.0%; IV 0.4%. Adenocarcinoma was the histotype more frequently observed and the grade of differentiation was respectively: G1 39.3%; G2 51.3%; G3 9.4%. The incidence of lymphnodal invasion was equal to 6.2% in I Stage, 12.2% in II Stage and 37.8% in III Stage. In Stage I surgery was the treatment of choice in all cases and in the 70.5% of cases additional treatments were added: in G1, G2 grade endometrial cancer additional hormone therapy, remote irradiation and postoperative hormone therapy were used, whereas in G3 tumours intracavitary irradiation was frequently added in the St. Petersburg Institute. The 5 year survival rate of patients at Stage I was equal to 70.9% in retrospective analysis (1968-1982) and 84.6% in patients followed prospectively (1983-1987).
Post-Soviet Georgia in the Process of TransformationModernization Challenges in Public Service
The aim of this article is to address the lack of academic knowledge about public services in pos... more The aim of this article is to address the lack of academic knowledge about public services in post-Soviet Georgia. Its attention is focused on the practices of career progression in public institutions in the context of meritocratic principles. In the new, ever-changing environment, with the inherited general mistrust of Soviettype institutions, and at the time when formal democratic social institutions (formal and moral criteria of success) are still in the process of development, informal factors (protectionism, nepotism, etc.) still largely determine social-economic success. This article claims the prevalence of informal relationships over meritocratic principles in the Georgian public service management system, which hinders the process of making public service more effective, productive and transparent. KEY WORDS: post-Soviet Georgia, meritocracy, bureaucracy, paternalism.
Civic Education and Practicies of Democracy in Post Soviet Countries, 2017
Tamar Chikovani
Caucasus University
Civil consciousness and discourse about the limits of the Ge... more Tamar Chikovani
Caucasus University
Civil consciousness and discourse about the limits of the Georgian
Church participation in public life
Resume
The aim of this research is to analyze the influence of the Georgian
Orthodox Church (GOC) on various areas of social life. The Church’s
high and growing influence is in correlation with spreading its growing
presence in almost all areas of social life. However, we focus on the role
of the Orthodox Church in the political processes, which is studied and
interpreted on the basis of the sociological surveys. These data are further
ground upon the analysis of the discourses of civil society actors and
clerical sermons. In addition, the research discusses the attitudes of
young people toward the process of secularization. The research
measures specific indicators, which, in our opinion, in the best way
identify value orientations of the Georgian youth. The respective survey
was carried out in 2014 and 2015.
Keywords: Civil consciousness, Georgian Orthodox Church, the
political functions of the church, religion, secularism, institutional
differentiation, modernization, democratization
Государство · Религия · Церковь, 2016
Грузинская православная церковь
в публичной сфере: споры о границах
участия
Tamar Charkviani, Ana... more Грузинская православная церковь
в публичной сфере: споры о границах
участия
Tamar Charkviani, Ana Chelidze
Debating the Limits of the Georgian Church’s Participation
in Public Life
Tamar Charkviani — Ilia State University (Tbilisi, Georgia).
tamar_charkviani@iliauni.edu.ge
Ana Chelidze — Ilia State University (Tbilisi, Georgia).
anachldz@yahoo.com
The aim of this article is to analyze the presence of the Georgian
Orthodox Church in the public life, and the limits of such presence. The
Church’s high influence is in correlation with spreading its growing
involvement in almost all areas of social life. The emphasis is made
upon the role of the Orthodox Church in the political process, which is
studied and interpreted on the basis of the sociological surveys. These
data are further supported by the analysis of the opinions of civil
society actors and the church sermons by the clergy. In addition, the
article discusses the attitudes of young people toward the process of
secularization. The article measures specific indicators, which, in our
opinion, is the best way to identify value orientations of the Georgian
youth. The surveys were carried out in 2014 and 2015.
Keywords: Georgian Orthodox Church, religion, secularism,
institutional differentiation, modernization, democratization.
Journal of Politics and Democratization, 2019
Abstract: Aim of this Article is to offer an overview/analysis of general characteristics of the ... more Abstract: Aim of this Article is to offer an overview/analysis of general characteristics of the public
management and governance culture in Georgia; identify trends and controversies of the reform that
are undertaken in public management system; The special focus in the article will be made on analysis of
appellate commissions of the civil service. Based on this aim of the work, the main question – is to what
extent is the commission performing the tasks and carries out its duties, which implies instrumentalizing
fair and just recruitment in the civil service. Focus of the analysis covers three periods of governance
since the restoration of independence: Shevardnadze period (1992 - 2003), Saakashvili (2003 – 2012)
and Ivanishvili period (2012-2014). Methodological strategy is based on the analysis of the empirical
data acquired through desk research – description and overview of the published patterns;
Interpretation of the state strategic documents, statistical data and expert opinions; Identification of
general trends of state policy in civil service and scientific studies.
J o u r n a l o f P o l i t i c s a n d D e m o c r a t i z a t i o n, 2020
Abstract: Institutionalisation of democratic legislative activities and the law-making process in... more Abstract: Institutionalisation of democratic legislative activities and the law-making process in Georgia is
facing a challenge with regards to democratic governance, democratisation of the law-making process,
and implementation of principles of ‘Bottom-up’ democracy, as these processes are exhibiting signs of the
so called ‘Facade Democracy’.
The Rule of Law is a set of rules that are common and acceptable to everyone. The Rule by Law is the
condition, under which rulers create a constitution, laws, and regulations, largely aimed at keeping them
in power.
This article proposes the hypothesis that in the law-making process run by the highest legislative body –
the Parliament, principles of the Rule by Law prevail over those of the Rule of Law. One of the aims of
the highest legislative body is to prioritise and protect the interests of the ruling elite through the so
called ‘Facade Democracy’ law-making process. This hinders institutionalisation and democratisation of
the current model of government.
The main aim of this article is to analyse the ways the highest legislative body – the Parliament,
implements the Rule of Law and the principles of ‘Bottom-up’ Democracy in the law-making process.
The subject of the study is to reveal the mechanisms civil society institutions use to influence and
control the law-making process. In order to assess the efficiency of the State and to analyse the events
that took place in Georgia in 2010-2014, it is important to study the ways the legislative body – the
Georgian Parliament functions. This is because there have been clear indications of an imbalance in the
Parliamentary parties and of political interests obviously affecting the law-making process. All social
groups are interested in making the highest legislative body, the Parliament, more affective, active and
transparent.
Post-Soviet Georgia in the Process of TransformationModernization Challenges in Public Service
ABSTRACT
The aim of this article is to address the lack of academic knowledge about
public servi... more ABSTRACT
The aim of this article is to address the lack of academic knowledge about
public services in post-Soviet Georgia. Its attention is focused on the practices of
career progression in public institutions in the context of meritocratic principles. In
the new, ever-changing environment, with the inherited general mistrust of Soviettype institutions, and at the time when formal democratic social institutions (formal
and moral criteria of success) are still in the process of development, informal
factors (protectionism, nepotism, etc.) still largely determine social-economic
success. This article claims the prevalence of informal relationships over
meritocratic principles in the Georgian public service management system, which
hinders the process of making public service more effective, productive and
transparent.
KEY WORDS: post-Soviet Georgia, meritocracy, bureaucracy, paternalism.
Civic Education and Practicies of Democracy in Post Soviet Countries International Conference Papers, 2017
Tamar Chikovani
Caucasus University
Civil consciousness and discourse about the limits of the Ge... more Tamar Chikovani
Caucasus University
Civil consciousness and discourse about the limits of the Georgian
Church participation in public life
Resume
The aim of this research is to analyze the influence of the Georgian
Orthodox Church (GOC) on various areas of social life. The Church’s
high and growing influence is in correlation with spreading its growing
presence in almost all areas of social life. However, we focus on the role
of the Orthodox Church in the political processes, which is studied and
interpreted on the basis of the sociological surveys. These data are further
ground upon the analysis of the discourses of civil society actors and
clerical sermons. In addition, the research discusses the attitudes of
young people toward the process of secularization. The research
measures specific indicators, which, in our opinion, in the best way
identify value orientations of the Georgian youth. The respective survey
was carried out in 2014 and 2015.
Keywords: Civil consciousness, Georgian Orthodox Church, the
political functions of the church, religion, secularism, institutional
differentiation, modernization, democratization.
Books by Tamar charkviani
Separation of Powers and ‘Check and Balance’ Principles in Georgia, 2013
Anotation: Implementation of the main principles of modern democratic distribution of power - a ... more Anotation: Implementation of the main principles of modern democratic distribution of power - a new Check and Balance system and new
public management - is vitally important. In a democratic system this
is directly connected with the existence of at least two sufficiently powerful and mutually independent centers. The Judicial branch has substantial
powers to supervise the Executive branch of government. Since it would be
interesting to know how commonly these powers are exercised in Georgia,
the main object of this research is to find how effectively the Judicial branch
supervises the Executive branch of government/public service.
The main aim of the book is to describe management strategies within
the Judicial and Executive branches of government, and to analyse the formation of a new ‘Check and Balance’ system of government. One of the
most important components of democratic transformation is the introduction of effective balancing mechanisms between different branches of
state government; i.e. the precise definition and identification of the rights,
obligations and responsibilities at all levels of government. In Georgia, undergoing post-Soviet transformation, ‘New Public Management’ is facing
a challenge: to be transformed into a healthy system based on Check and
Balance principles, or to find alternative ways of functioning, which will
hinder its development into an open, democratic system.
Academic Swiss Caucasus Net (ASCN).lia State University, 2011
The present study was conducted with the support of the Academic Swiss Caucasus Net (ASCN). ASCN ... more The present study was conducted with the support of the Academic Swiss Caucasus Net (ASCN). ASCN
is a programme aimed at promoting the social sciences and humanities in the South Caucasus (primarily
Georgia and Armenia). Its different activities foster the emergence of a new generation of talented
scholars. Promising junior researchers receive support through research projects, capacity-building
training and scholarships. The programme emphasizes the advancement of individuals who, thanks to
their ASCN experience, become better integrated in international academic networks. The ASCN
programme is coordinated and operated by the Interfaculty Institute for Central and Eastern Europe
(IICEE) at the University of Fribourg (Switzerland). It is initiated and supported by Gebert Rüf Stiftung
Uploads
Papers by Tamar charkviani
Caucasus University
Civil consciousness and discourse about the limits of the Georgian
Church participation in public life
Resume
The aim of this research is to analyze the influence of the Georgian
Orthodox Church (GOC) on various areas of social life. The Church’s
high and growing influence is in correlation with spreading its growing
presence in almost all areas of social life. However, we focus on the role
of the Orthodox Church in the political processes, which is studied and
interpreted on the basis of the sociological surveys. These data are further
ground upon the analysis of the discourses of civil society actors and
clerical sermons. In addition, the research discusses the attitudes of
young people toward the process of secularization. The research
measures specific indicators, which, in our opinion, in the best way
identify value orientations of the Georgian youth. The respective survey
was carried out in 2014 and 2015.
Keywords: Civil consciousness, Georgian Orthodox Church, the
political functions of the church, religion, secularism, institutional
differentiation, modernization, democratization
в публичной сфере: споры о границах
участия
Tamar Charkviani, Ana Chelidze
Debating the Limits of the Georgian Church’s Participation
in Public Life
Tamar Charkviani — Ilia State University (Tbilisi, Georgia).
tamar_charkviani@iliauni.edu.ge
Ana Chelidze — Ilia State University (Tbilisi, Georgia).
anachldz@yahoo.com
The aim of this article is to analyze the presence of the Georgian
Orthodox Church in the public life, and the limits of such presence. The
Church’s high influence is in correlation with spreading its growing
involvement in almost all areas of social life. The emphasis is made
upon the role of the Orthodox Church in the political process, which is
studied and interpreted on the basis of the sociological surveys. These
data are further supported by the analysis of the opinions of civil
society actors and the church sermons by the clergy. In addition, the
article discusses the attitudes of young people toward the process of
secularization. The article measures specific indicators, which, in our
opinion, is the best way to identify value orientations of the Georgian
youth. The surveys were carried out in 2014 and 2015.
Keywords: Georgian Orthodox Church, religion, secularism,
institutional differentiation, modernization, democratization.
management and governance culture in Georgia; identify trends and controversies of the reform that
are undertaken in public management system; The special focus in the article will be made on analysis of
appellate commissions of the civil service. Based on this aim of the work, the main question – is to what
extent is the commission performing the tasks and carries out its duties, which implies instrumentalizing
fair and just recruitment in the civil service. Focus of the analysis covers three periods of governance
since the restoration of independence: Shevardnadze period (1992 - 2003), Saakashvili (2003 – 2012)
and Ivanishvili period (2012-2014). Methodological strategy is based on the analysis of the empirical
data acquired through desk research – description and overview of the published patterns;
Interpretation of the state strategic documents, statistical data and expert opinions; Identification of
general trends of state policy in civil service and scientific studies.
facing a challenge with regards to democratic governance, democratisation of the law-making process,
and implementation of principles of ‘Bottom-up’ democracy, as these processes are exhibiting signs of the
so called ‘Facade Democracy’.
The Rule of Law is a set of rules that are common and acceptable to everyone. The Rule by Law is the
condition, under which rulers create a constitution, laws, and regulations, largely aimed at keeping them
in power.
This article proposes the hypothesis that in the law-making process run by the highest legislative body –
the Parliament, principles of the Rule by Law prevail over those of the Rule of Law. One of the aims of
the highest legislative body is to prioritise and protect the interests of the ruling elite through the so
called ‘Facade Democracy’ law-making process. This hinders institutionalisation and democratisation of
the current model of government.
The main aim of this article is to analyse the ways the highest legislative body – the Parliament,
implements the Rule of Law and the principles of ‘Bottom-up’ Democracy in the law-making process.
The subject of the study is to reveal the mechanisms civil society institutions use to influence and
control the law-making process. In order to assess the efficiency of the State and to analyse the events
that took place in Georgia in 2010-2014, it is important to study the ways the legislative body – the
Georgian Parliament functions. This is because there have been clear indications of an imbalance in the
Parliamentary parties and of political interests obviously affecting the law-making process. All social
groups are interested in making the highest legislative body, the Parliament, more affective, active and
transparent.
The aim of this article is to address the lack of academic knowledge about
public services in post-Soviet Georgia. Its attention is focused on the practices of
career progression in public institutions in the context of meritocratic principles. In
the new, ever-changing environment, with the inherited general mistrust of Soviettype institutions, and at the time when formal democratic social institutions (formal
and moral criteria of success) are still in the process of development, informal
factors (protectionism, nepotism, etc.) still largely determine social-economic
success. This article claims the prevalence of informal relationships over
meritocratic principles in the Georgian public service management system, which
hinders the process of making public service more effective, productive and
transparent.
KEY WORDS: post-Soviet Georgia, meritocracy, bureaucracy, paternalism.
Caucasus University
Civil consciousness and discourse about the limits of the Georgian
Church participation in public life
Resume
The aim of this research is to analyze the influence of the Georgian
Orthodox Church (GOC) on various areas of social life. The Church’s
high and growing influence is in correlation with spreading its growing
presence in almost all areas of social life. However, we focus on the role
of the Orthodox Church in the political processes, which is studied and
interpreted on the basis of the sociological surveys. These data are further
ground upon the analysis of the discourses of civil society actors and
clerical sermons. In addition, the research discusses the attitudes of
young people toward the process of secularization. The research
measures specific indicators, which, in our opinion, in the best way
identify value orientations of the Georgian youth. The respective survey
was carried out in 2014 and 2015.
Keywords: Civil consciousness, Georgian Orthodox Church, the
political functions of the church, religion, secularism, institutional
differentiation, modernization, democratization.
Books by Tamar charkviani
public management - is vitally important. In a democratic system this
is directly connected with the existence of at least two sufficiently powerful and mutually independent centers. The Judicial branch has substantial
powers to supervise the Executive branch of government. Since it would be
interesting to know how commonly these powers are exercised in Georgia,
the main object of this research is to find how effectively the Judicial branch
supervises the Executive branch of government/public service.
The main aim of the book is to describe management strategies within
the Judicial and Executive branches of government, and to analyse the formation of a new ‘Check and Balance’ system of government. One of the
most important components of democratic transformation is the introduction of effective balancing mechanisms between different branches of
state government; i.e. the precise definition and identification of the rights,
obligations and responsibilities at all levels of government. In Georgia, undergoing post-Soviet transformation, ‘New Public Management’ is facing
a challenge: to be transformed into a healthy system based on Check and
Balance principles, or to find alternative ways of functioning, which will
hinder its development into an open, democratic system.
is a programme aimed at promoting the social sciences and humanities in the South Caucasus (primarily
Georgia and Armenia). Its different activities foster the emergence of a new generation of talented
scholars. Promising junior researchers receive support through research projects, capacity-building
training and scholarships. The programme emphasizes the advancement of individuals who, thanks to
their ASCN experience, become better integrated in international academic networks. The ASCN
programme is coordinated and operated by the Interfaculty Institute for Central and Eastern Europe
(IICEE) at the University of Fribourg (Switzerland). It is initiated and supported by Gebert Rüf Stiftung
Caucasus University
Civil consciousness and discourse about the limits of the Georgian
Church participation in public life
Resume
The aim of this research is to analyze the influence of the Georgian
Orthodox Church (GOC) on various areas of social life. The Church’s
high and growing influence is in correlation with spreading its growing
presence in almost all areas of social life. However, we focus on the role
of the Orthodox Church in the political processes, which is studied and
interpreted on the basis of the sociological surveys. These data are further
ground upon the analysis of the discourses of civil society actors and
clerical sermons. In addition, the research discusses the attitudes of
young people toward the process of secularization. The research
measures specific indicators, which, in our opinion, in the best way
identify value orientations of the Georgian youth. The respective survey
was carried out in 2014 and 2015.
Keywords: Civil consciousness, Georgian Orthodox Church, the
political functions of the church, religion, secularism, institutional
differentiation, modernization, democratization
в публичной сфере: споры о границах
участия
Tamar Charkviani, Ana Chelidze
Debating the Limits of the Georgian Church’s Participation
in Public Life
Tamar Charkviani — Ilia State University (Tbilisi, Georgia).
tamar_charkviani@iliauni.edu.ge
Ana Chelidze — Ilia State University (Tbilisi, Georgia).
anachldz@yahoo.com
The aim of this article is to analyze the presence of the Georgian
Orthodox Church in the public life, and the limits of such presence. The
Church’s high influence is in correlation with spreading its growing
involvement in almost all areas of social life. The emphasis is made
upon the role of the Orthodox Church in the political process, which is
studied and interpreted on the basis of the sociological surveys. These
data are further supported by the analysis of the opinions of civil
society actors and the church sermons by the clergy. In addition, the
article discusses the attitudes of young people toward the process of
secularization. The article measures specific indicators, which, in our
opinion, is the best way to identify value orientations of the Georgian
youth. The surveys were carried out in 2014 and 2015.
Keywords: Georgian Orthodox Church, religion, secularism,
institutional differentiation, modernization, democratization.
management and governance culture in Georgia; identify trends and controversies of the reform that
are undertaken in public management system; The special focus in the article will be made on analysis of
appellate commissions of the civil service. Based on this aim of the work, the main question – is to what
extent is the commission performing the tasks and carries out its duties, which implies instrumentalizing
fair and just recruitment in the civil service. Focus of the analysis covers three periods of governance
since the restoration of independence: Shevardnadze period (1992 - 2003), Saakashvili (2003 – 2012)
and Ivanishvili period (2012-2014). Methodological strategy is based on the analysis of the empirical
data acquired through desk research – description and overview of the published patterns;
Interpretation of the state strategic documents, statistical data and expert opinions; Identification of
general trends of state policy in civil service and scientific studies.
facing a challenge with regards to democratic governance, democratisation of the law-making process,
and implementation of principles of ‘Bottom-up’ democracy, as these processes are exhibiting signs of the
so called ‘Facade Democracy’.
The Rule of Law is a set of rules that are common and acceptable to everyone. The Rule by Law is the
condition, under which rulers create a constitution, laws, and regulations, largely aimed at keeping them
in power.
This article proposes the hypothesis that in the law-making process run by the highest legislative body –
the Parliament, principles of the Rule by Law prevail over those of the Rule of Law. One of the aims of
the highest legislative body is to prioritise and protect the interests of the ruling elite through the so
called ‘Facade Democracy’ law-making process. This hinders institutionalisation and democratisation of
the current model of government.
The main aim of this article is to analyse the ways the highest legislative body – the Parliament,
implements the Rule of Law and the principles of ‘Bottom-up’ Democracy in the law-making process.
The subject of the study is to reveal the mechanisms civil society institutions use to influence and
control the law-making process. In order to assess the efficiency of the State and to analyse the events
that took place in Georgia in 2010-2014, it is important to study the ways the legislative body – the
Georgian Parliament functions. This is because there have been clear indications of an imbalance in the
Parliamentary parties and of political interests obviously affecting the law-making process. All social
groups are interested in making the highest legislative body, the Parliament, more affective, active and
transparent.
The aim of this article is to address the lack of academic knowledge about
public services in post-Soviet Georgia. Its attention is focused on the practices of
career progression in public institutions in the context of meritocratic principles. In
the new, ever-changing environment, with the inherited general mistrust of Soviettype institutions, and at the time when formal democratic social institutions (formal
and moral criteria of success) are still in the process of development, informal
factors (protectionism, nepotism, etc.) still largely determine social-economic
success. This article claims the prevalence of informal relationships over
meritocratic principles in the Georgian public service management system, which
hinders the process of making public service more effective, productive and
transparent.
KEY WORDS: post-Soviet Georgia, meritocracy, bureaucracy, paternalism.
Caucasus University
Civil consciousness and discourse about the limits of the Georgian
Church participation in public life
Resume
The aim of this research is to analyze the influence of the Georgian
Orthodox Church (GOC) on various areas of social life. The Church’s
high and growing influence is in correlation with spreading its growing
presence in almost all areas of social life. However, we focus on the role
of the Orthodox Church in the political processes, which is studied and
interpreted on the basis of the sociological surveys. These data are further
ground upon the analysis of the discourses of civil society actors and
clerical sermons. In addition, the research discusses the attitudes of
young people toward the process of secularization. The research
measures specific indicators, which, in our opinion, in the best way
identify value orientations of the Georgian youth. The respective survey
was carried out in 2014 and 2015.
Keywords: Civil consciousness, Georgian Orthodox Church, the
political functions of the church, religion, secularism, institutional
differentiation, modernization, democratization.
public management - is vitally important. In a democratic system this
is directly connected with the existence of at least two sufficiently powerful and mutually independent centers. The Judicial branch has substantial
powers to supervise the Executive branch of government. Since it would be
interesting to know how commonly these powers are exercised in Georgia,
the main object of this research is to find how effectively the Judicial branch
supervises the Executive branch of government/public service.
The main aim of the book is to describe management strategies within
the Judicial and Executive branches of government, and to analyse the formation of a new ‘Check and Balance’ system of government. One of the
most important components of democratic transformation is the introduction of effective balancing mechanisms between different branches of
state government; i.e. the precise definition and identification of the rights,
obligations and responsibilities at all levels of government. In Georgia, undergoing post-Soviet transformation, ‘New Public Management’ is facing
a challenge: to be transformed into a healthy system based on Check and
Balance principles, or to find alternative ways of functioning, which will
hinder its development into an open, democratic system.
is a programme aimed at promoting the social sciences and humanities in the South Caucasus (primarily
Georgia and Armenia). Its different activities foster the emergence of a new generation of talented
scholars. Promising junior researchers receive support through research projects, capacity-building
training and scholarships. The programme emphasizes the advancement of individuals who, thanks to
their ASCN experience, become better integrated in international academic networks. The ASCN
programme is coordinated and operated by the Interfaculty Institute for Central and Eastern Europe
(IICEE) at the University of Fribourg (Switzerland). It is initiated and supported by Gebert Rüf Stiftung