Modernization in Georgia ― Theories, Discourses and Realities

The book is a collection of articles treating the question of modernization in Georgia. It is an interdisciplinary volume, comprising the studies from disciplines of history, political science, sociology and international relations. The texts deal with the topic from various angles, creating a rich and multifaceted picture: theories of modernization, history of modernization and Europeanization efforts in Georgia from the 19^th century to the present day, Soviet past and its influence on the present socio-political processes, interrelation between foreign policy and modernization project, social capital and civil society, state and nation in the Caucasus. The book takes into account both theoretical and historical dimensions of the topic, presents various interpretations of the concept of modernization and discusses how distinct processes and projects of modernizing society existed in different historical epochs in Georgia.

Giga Zedania is professor and rector of Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia. He studied philosophy, sociology and cultural studies in Georgia, USA, Hungary and Germany. His has authored and edited numerous publications on the history of political thought, social theory and transformation of post-soviet societies.