The relations between Georgia and Germany refer to the actual and progressively ongoing process. These relations have quite significant tradition in the last century. According to the official information “close and trustful relations between Germany and Georgia have the tradition of nearly 200 years”. Therefore the experience earned through the different historical points of German-Georgian relations can be used from nowadays as well as from the future perspective. Accordingly, the analyze of the important points in these relations and explaining certain circumstances of them should be worth of interest. Therefore the aim of our research is to clarify the certain points in the history of Georgian-German relations with the proper theoretical framework.
Our research is dedicated to the two basic points of the history of German-Georgian relations. The first point is the relations connected to the declaration of independence by Georgia in 26 May 1918. The second one refers to the restoration of independence in 9 April 1991 based on the independence act of 26 May. These two dates had been the crucial points in the history of Georgia of the previous century. However, they had been the basic turning points in the history of German-Georgian relations as well. In the first case the basic motivation for starting the relations between Georgia and Germany was the issue of Georgian independence. In the second case the relations between Germany and Georgia has started after (but not immediately after) the declaration of independence as well.
However, there is a significant difference between these two periods of Georgian-German relations. First of all, the symmetry of developing relations goes differently. In the first case the relations had started several years before the declaration of independence, which was the direct result of these relations, and finished shortly (several months) after declaring independence. In the second case the relations have started some time after the restoration of independence, the relations which still go on during the last couple of decades. Another difference, which has the basic importance for our research, is the fundamentally different attitude from the German side towards the first and second cases of declaring independence of Georgia. The research tries to clarify the reasons for such difference and explain it with the proper theoretical concept.
Table of Contents
I Introduction
II Preliminary Guidelines and Methodological Explanations
III The Declaration of Independence
1 Preliminary Period
2 Independence as ‘the only way out’
3 After Independence
IV The Restoration of Independence
1 Way towards the Restoration of Independence
2 Reunification of Germany
3 Between Independence and Reunification
V Theoretical explanations
1 Political Realism is the Answer
2 Political Realism is not always the Answer
3 General Theoretical Explanations
VI Conclusions
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary aim of this research is to analyze two critical junctures in the history of Georgian-German relations—the 1918 declaration of independence and the 1991 restoration of independence—by employing a theoretical framework based on political realism. The study seeks to identify the determining factors behind Germany's shifting attitudes toward Georgia's quest for statehood across these two distinct historical periods, examining how national interests dictate bilateral cooperation.
- Analysis of Georgian-German political relations during the First World War.
- Evaluation of the 1991 independence movement in the context of German reunification.
- Application of the political realism paradigm to explain state behavior.
- Comparative case study of 1918 and 1991 as turning points for Georgian statehood.
Excerpt from the Book
1 Preliminary Period
The intense Georgian-German relations had started several years before the question of independence came into political reality. As the First World War broke out and Germany formally declared war with Russia in 1 August 191410, shortly afterwards the young absolvent of the University of Geneva Leo Kereselidze contacted to the German council in Geneva Baron Gisbert von Romberg and asked him for help in „revolutionizing Georgia and whole Caucasus“11. The abovementioned action would be in the framework of “revolutionizing policy”, while the uprising of peripheries against empires and colonies against metropolises was considered as one of the efficient tools for defeating the enemies by Germany12. The offer made German part interested, as the realization of this plan could be helpful in the eastern front, and was accepted. Shortly afterwards the Georgian Independence Committee was established in September 191413, with Georg Machabelli, Michael Tsereteli and Peter Surguladze as the leaders together with Kereselidze.14
What makes these relations interesting from the perspective of political realism is that both of the parts did not have any preliminary plan for the future collaboration. Their cooperation was the coincidence of interests by chance15 without any preparations before. The dynamically developing reality of the newly started World War made the German Foreign Affairs Agency and the group of Georgian emigrants involved in this cooperation based on the mutual interests. Despite of several disappointments in realizing the initial plans, this cooperation had been going on during nearly 4 years, until 1918 when Georgian independence was declared.
Summary of Chapters
I Introduction: Outlines the scope of the research on historical Georgian-German political relations and establishes the two primary case studies (1918 and 1991).
II Preliminary Guidelines and Methodological Explanations: Defines the research field of European Studies and the methodology of inductive reasoning applied through comparative case studies.
III The Declaration of Independence: Details the preparatory role of the Georgian Independence Committee and the strategic necessity of German support during the First World War.
IV The Restoration of Independence: Examines the national liberation movement of the late 1980s and the geopolitical context of German reunification during the collapse of the Soviet Union.
V Theoretical explanations: Evaluates the historical cases through the lens of political realism, highlighting the influence of national interests and identifying limitations of the theory.
VI Conclusions: Summarizes the findings, affirming that the alignment of national interests was the primary driver for successful bilateral cooperation in both historical instances.
Keywords
Georgia, Germany, Georgian-German relations, political realism, independence, declaration of independence, restoration of independence, national interest, First World War, Soviet Union, perestroika, reunification, foreign policy, geopolitical strategy, statehood.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this work?
The work focuses on the history of political relations between Georgia and Germany, specifically analyzing the declarations of independence in 1918 and 1991 as turning points.
What are the central themes discussed?
The central themes include the evolution of bilateral diplomatic ties, the impact of geopolitical changes on statehood, and the application of political theory to historical events.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to explain why Germany's attitude toward Georgian independence shifted between 1918 and 1991 by using the theoretical framework of political realism.
Which scientific methodology is utilized?
The research utilizes inductive reasoning and a qualitative comparative case-study approach, moving from concrete historical observations to theoretical generalization.
What does the main body cover?
It covers the preparatory period and aftermath of the 1918 declaration, the restoration of independence in 1991 concurrent with German reunification, and the theoretical evaluation of these events.
What are the characteristic keywords?
Key terms include Georgia, Germany, political realism, national interest, independence, and bilateral relations.
How does political realism explain the 1918 collaboration?
The study argues that collaboration occurred because German and Georgian national interests coincided due to the dynamics of the First World War.
Why did cooperation fail in 1991?
The research suggests that in 1991, German national interests were focused on reunification and maintaining stability with Russia, which did not align with supporting Georgia's independence at that specific time.
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- George Meskhi (Autor), 2011, Two Basic Points in Georgian-German Relations, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/194599
