This thesis researches the effectiveness of climate finance by observing the Adaptation Fund (AF), an international climate fund operationalised in 2007. Using qualitative analysis of the AF’s...Show moreThis thesis researches the effectiveness of climate finance by observing the Adaptation Fund (AF), an international climate fund operationalised in 2007. Using qualitative analysis of the AF’s project in Georgia it asks: “How did the Adaptation Fund influence climate policy in Georgia?”. To answer the research question, this thesis researches the effectiveness of the project in Georgia, with three factors that are considered key components of determining an effective national climate finance policy. While different definitions exist in defining effectiveness, this thesis investigates the project through Bird et al’s three factors— policy environments that support climate change investment, the institutional foundation which distributes responsibility, and the national financial system. Based on the AF’s project documents and a semi-structured interview, this thesis uses a process-tracing method to test the three factors and finally demonstrates how the AF’s project “effectively” influenced the climate policy in Georgia.Show less
Master thesis | European Politics and Society: Vaclav Havel Joint Master Programme
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The European Union is one of the main actors actively promoting democratic progress in Georgia. It is widely believed that the EU's democracy promotion in Georgia has been inextricably linked to...Show moreThe European Union is one of the main actors actively promoting democratic progress in Georgia. It is widely believed that the EU's democracy promotion in Georgia has been inextricably linked to one of its key foreign policy instruments, namely, the democratic conditionality. In recent years, the EU has been able to induce several transformative democratic reforms in Georgia by tying them to big "carrots", such as the signing of the Association Agreement (AA) encompassing the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) and the Visa Liberalisation process. Considering that Georgia had never received an official EU membership perspective when the country achieved this crucial milestone, experts questioned whether the EU could induce transformative democratic changes in this Black Sea region country and how. Specifically, the strategies, instruments or tools that the EU might employ to push essential democratic reforms adoption and implementation became a point of contention. This thesis attempts to address this debate by answering the following research question: How does the EU attempt to induce democratic reforms in Georgia without conditionality in place? The thesis is based on two case studies within a single case study on Georgia. The first case is related to the EU-promoted anti-discrimination law's adoption and implementation, and the second case study covers the EU-brokered March 8 Agreement encompassing a comprehensive electoral system reform in Georgia. In both cases, the EU appears to play a critical role, albeit through different mechanisms and tools at its disposal. The thesis attempts to provide a reader with a nuanced analysis of the EU's perceived role in the above-mentioned transformative democratic reforms' adoption and implementation in Georgia. The author employs the following qualitative methods for the offered case studies: a qualitative content analysis and in-depth interviews with experts and elites. The thesis aims to contribute to the scholarly literature on EU-Georgian relations.Show less
The aim of this thesis is to establish a better understanding of the inner workings of frozen conflicts, by addressing the question of how the conflicts in Moldova and Georgia in the early 90’s...Show moreThe aim of this thesis is to establish a better understanding of the inner workings of frozen conflicts, by addressing the question of how the conflicts in Moldova and Georgia in the early 90’s became frozen. The current comprehension of frozen conflicts, both in academia and policy-making circles is rather elusive, as the conflicts are often seen through a mono-theoretical lens, overlooking the potential interaction between different factors on different levels. The three main theoretical perspectives on frozen conflicts; the geopolitical, ethno-nationalist and political-economic perspective, are assessed, after which an explanatory variable is derived from each one. Subsequently, the cases of Moldova and Georgia are analyzed alongside these variables, to determine to what extent each mechanism plays a role in the development of frozen conflicts. A qualitative comparative analysis is carried out to assess the interrelation between variables, across the three different phases of a frozen conflict. The results of this research show that the frozen conflicts in Moldova and Georgia are neither solely ethnic nor geopolitical in nature. Ethnic tensions interplayed with geopolitical motives, which are substantiated by criminal economic incentives. Therefore, the multi-layered nature of frozen conflicts cannot fully be understood through a monotheoretical lens.Show less
In 2003, in response to the terminal socioeconomic instability and political ignorance, the Georgian civil society initiated a wave of mobilization, consolidation and protest actions. The Rose...Show moreIn 2003, in response to the terminal socioeconomic instability and political ignorance, the Georgian civil society initiated a wave of mobilization, consolidation and protest actions. The Rose Revolution represents the culmination of elite tensions and civil disobedience. The Revolution continues to be one of the most influential and important Color Revolutions in the post-Soviet sphere because of the large-scale mobilization of Georgian citizens. Consequently, the purpose of this thesis is to identify how did the Rose Revolution develop and promote mass mobilization required for political change. The thesis adopts the concept of “framing” and the three different framing strategies (diagnostic, prognostic, motivational) and applies them to the case of the Rose Revolution in order to analyze the consensus and action mobilization of the protest actors. By pursuing these strategies, the Rose Revolution opened opportunities for confidence and hope among the Georgian citizens. People began to distinguish between politics and the party, and thus the parties began to lose the occupied space of the political. Especially the prognostic strategies liberated the activist cores, enabled them to ‘flourish’. In other words, the public got inspired to take part in the popular discontent with the governmental establishment.Show less
The Responsibility to Protect principle introduced both the state’s and the international community’s responsibility to protect human rights. The principle is regarded as an emergent norm that is...Show moreThe Responsibility to Protect principle introduced both the state’s and the international community’s responsibility to protect human rights. The principle is regarded as an emergent norm that is yet to be successfully diffused and classified as a global norm. This thesis assesses the principle’s normative trajectory through the use of Finnemore and Sikkink’s ‘norm life cycle theory’ (1998). This work works toward a better understanding of Russia’s approach towards the emergent norm of human rights by default. By assessing Russia’s approach towards intervention, this study reviews the claim that Russia seeks to undermine the norms that underpin R2P. This has been conducted via a qualitative case study that reviews the following cases: Georgia, Crimea, Libya and Syria. The findings demonstrate that although Russia is actively engaged with the principle’s norm development process, it did also attempt to interpret the norm according to its own preferences. However, only once was the norm was truly undermined - in the case of Crimea.Show less
Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Georgia was permeated with corruption. The thesis discusses characteristics and examples of corruption in higher education system and main anti...Show moreFollowing the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Georgia was permeated with corruption. The thesis discusses characteristics and examples of corruption in higher education system and main anti-corruption reforms and interventions in the education sector in post-Soviet Georgia. Three major reforms are discussed in detail 1)Equal access to education through Unified National Entrance Examinations 2) Improvement of quality of schools, through the European based system of accreditation 3) Higher effectiveness, through the institutional and staff restructuring. The thesis focuses on the level of corruption and the advancement of anti-corruption measures that, as this paper suggests, have significantly contributed to decrease of corruption levels in the country, especially by reducing opportunities for illicit behavior, restructuring and better checks and control.Show less
This thesis presents Mikhail Saakashvili as a case study into charismatic authority, aimed to get a better understanding of the charismatic bond between Saakashvili and his followers. This thesis...Show moreThis thesis presents Mikhail Saakashvili as a case study into charismatic authority, aimed to get a better understanding of the charismatic bond between Saakashvili and his followers. This thesis is a qualitative research and for a large part based on oral sources. In this study new scientific approaches in the field of leadership studies are explored. This thesis argues that the Rose Revolution saw the revelation of Saakashvili as a charismatic leader. Saakashvili was able to create the notion of a strong leader by giving inspiring speeches and skilfully using the media. Furthermore, this thesis argues that Saakashvili’s charisma was for a large part build upon symbolism and mysticism. Finally, this thesis will argue that the government’s response to the massive protests in 2007 and the Russo-Georgian war in 2008 negatively affected Saakashvili’s charismatic appeal.Show less
In the late 20th century it was thought that religion and idea of nation-state would disappear from the scene of world politics. However, the contrary process took place and neither the idea of the...Show moreIn the late 20th century it was thought that religion and idea of nation-state would disappear from the scene of world politics. However, the contrary process took place and neither the idea of the nation nor of the religion has faded away. This thesis aims to examine complex history of Islam in Georgia and recent trends in the development of nationalism and the rise of the religious affiliations amongst both Christian and Muslim Georgians. Consequently, this thesis explores the existing narratives about Georgian Muslims and finds that the notion of ‘Georgianness’ is linked to Orthodox Christianity and that this idea has a long history.Show less
In 1992 a peace treaty was signed between South-Ossetia and Georgia. This seemed to be the end of the conflict that had engulfed Georgia for two years. Now, 26 years later and there still is not a...Show moreIn 1992 a peace treaty was signed between South-Ossetia and Georgia. This seemed to be the end of the conflict that had engulfed Georgia for two years. Now, 26 years later and there still is not a permanent solution for South-Ossetia. In this thesis the idea is put forth that the changing dynamic of the EU-Russian relationship has facilitated the creation and sustainability of this frozen conflict. In order to understand more of the reasons whereof an examination is given of the six elements of the EU-Russia relationship, a theoretical background concerning frozen conflicts will be given and an inspection of South-Ossetia has been done. Show less
This thesis provides an insight in the Belarusian foreign policy response to the self-proclaimed independence of Abkhazia. The conclusion of the research question: "how has Belarusian foreign...Show moreThis thesis provides an insight in the Belarusian foreign policy response to the self-proclaimed independence of Abkhazia. The conclusion of the research question: "how has Belarusian foreign policy responded to the case of Abkhazia’s self-proclaimed independence?" is that the response can be divided into three time periods of ignoring, partially recognizing and opposing Abkhazia. The main causes identified for the way Belarus responded can be found in the EU - Russia conflict rather than the Abkhazian case individually.Show less
Much has been written about dissident regions such as Abkhazia, South Ossetia or Transnistria. Unfortunately until today little attention is given to Gagauzia, a dissident region that rejected the...Show moreMuch has been written about dissident regions such as Abkhazia, South Ossetia or Transnistria. Unfortunately until today little attention is given to Gagauzia, a dissident region that rejected the current Moldovan rapprochement towards the EU in its local referendum, organized in 2014. In contemporary academic literature very little is known about the influence of dissident regions like Gagauzia, Transnistria or Abkhazia on the EU rapprochement of their sovereign nation. Along with interviews and other primary sources a model is provided to discover the influence of the three mentioned dissident regions on the EU rapprochement. This research, at least, enriches the current existing academic literature regarding Gagauzia, at the same time it deeply emphasises the limited influence of dissident regions on sovereign nations’ EU rapprochement.Show less
A thesis on the effects of the 2008 Georgian War on the relations between Russia and the United States and the role of the media on the public opinion regarding the subject.
The cases of de facto states in the South Caucasus, including the subject of this paper, Abkhazia, demonstrates that successful state-building is possible under non-recognition and with the lack of...Show moreThe cases of de facto states in the South Caucasus, including the subject of this paper, Abkhazia, demonstrates that successful state-building is possible under non-recognition and with the lack of international sovereignty. Moreover, the very existence of such political bodies erodes the international rule of law and undermines basic principals of international relations and foundations of the Westphalian world order. While the Russian aspect of the case receives plenty of attention little discussion is dedicated to the Abkhaz nation's struggle for status, independence and the validity of their claims. Therefore, this research aims to identify and analyze the feasibility of those policy instruments of the Abkhaz government that are independent from other actors and would possibly contribute to the republic's final goal; to gain wider recognition and engage in international trade in order to end Abkhazia's long-lasting isolation and stabilize the area.Show less
This study focuses on the various attitudes towards Southern U.S. English; Georgian and Floridian English in particular. The research was executed through a questionnaire where the participants...Show moreThis study focuses on the various attitudes towards Southern U.S. English; Georgian and Floridian English in particular. The research was executed through a questionnaire where the participants judged Georgian and Floridian speakers on their likability and their perceived intelligence on a 9-point Likert scale. These participants were 14 L2 speakers of English, who were first-year students of English Language and Culture at Leiden University. The questionnaire was divided into a section with audio fragments of the speakers asking questions and a section with audio fragments of the speakers speaking words. This separation was included to create a distinction between the global (larger phrases, such as sentences and the aforementioned questions) and the local accent (smaller phrases, such as words). The results indicated that on both likability and perceived intelligence, the Floridians were judged more positively. Moreover, the results indicated a positive correlation between the judgment based on likability and the judgment based on perceived intelligence.Show less
This thesis is about explaining stereotypes, the creation and use of stereotypes and its relation to imagology. These concepts are then applied on the movie Tangerines by Zaza Urushadze about the...Show moreThis thesis is about explaining stereotypes, the creation and use of stereotypes and its relation to imagology. These concepts are then applied on the movie Tangerines by Zaza Urushadze about the Georgian - Abkhaz conflict of 1992-1993.Show less
Mikheil Saakashvili came to power in Georgia in 2003 after the bloodless Rose Revolution. He provided the people with the hope that Georgia would turn into a functioning democracy under his rule....Show moreMikheil Saakashvili came to power in Georgia in 2003 after the bloodless Rose Revolution. He provided the people with the hope that Georgia would turn into a functioning democracy under his rule. It turned out that these hopes were set too high. In this thesis I analyse how Saakshvili consolidated authoritarian rule, and how he used the security threats Georgia faced to achieve this.Show less
