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International Relations Theory and Russia - Georgia Conflict of 2008

Research Proposal · December 2008

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By İsa Burak GONCA

INTRODUCTION

One of the biggest political crises of 2008 is the conflict between Russia and Georgia.

This is the newest political crisis and this crisis is not effective in only Caucasus. This

situation affected Georgia as politically, economically and physiologically but Russia-Georgia

Conflict affected the rest of the world too. For instance, a few months ago, Kosovo is

recognized by some European Countries and the USA as independent country. After Russia-

Georgia Conflict, Russia recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent countries.

Thus, this can be an answer of recognizing of the independence of Kosovo by the USA.

Moreover, today, many countries in the world have minority problem so the conflict

between Russia and Georgia can affect other states such as Spain, Turkey, China, etc. Maybe,

Russia just wanted to help Abkhazia and South Ossetia. There can be many reasons of Russia-

Georgia Conflict. It depends on people‟s perspectives. Because of this, this study will explain

the causes of the war between Russia and Georgia, according to some political perspectives of

the international relations (IR). For this reason, two main political perspectives were chosen.

The political perspectives in this study will be Neo-Realism and Liberalism. Hence, in this

paper, it will try to show effects of Russia-Georgia conflict. Furthermore, it will try to analyze

the conflict between Russia and Georgia with these two theories and then it will try to explain

causes of the conflict.

Moreover, it will describe these two theories briefly and it will explain why selected

these two theories. In the background section of the paper, it will give more information about
the conflict such as it will give information about outside and inside actors of the conflict and

their effects in the conflict, current developments about the conflict.

Finally, in the conclusion section of the paper, it will ensure overview of the analysis,

briefly, and it will try to show the strengths and weaknesses of each approach in the case of

Russia-Georgia conflict.

Describing Theoretical Perspectives: Neo Realism (Structural) and Game Theory

Neo-realism is a kind of realist world view. Also, it can call as structural realism. The

realist worldview was revived and revised with the publication of Kenneth Waltz` s 1979

Theory of International Politics. Waltz argues that systems are composed of a structure and

their interacting units. Political structures have three elements: an ordering principle (anarchic

or hierarchic), the character of the units (functionally alike or differentiated), and the

distributions of capabilities (Waltz 1979: 88-99). Moreover, “Waltz argues that elements of

the structure of the international system are constants: anarchy and functionally alike.”1

“Liberalism in international relations is a theory that holds that state preferences,

rather than state capabilities, are the primary determinant of state behavior. Unlike realism

where the state is seen as a unitary actor, liberalism allows for plurality in state actions. Thus,

preferences will vary from state to state, depending on factors such as culture,

economicsystem or governmenttype. Instead of an anarchic international system, there are

plenty of opportunities for cooperation and broader notions of power. Another assumption is

1
Griffiths, Martin. International relations theory for the twenty-first century :an introduction. London ;New
York: Routledge 2007.p.46

2
that absolutegains can be made through co-operation and interdependence – thus peace can be

achieved.”2

Neo-Realism and liberalism were selected as an international relations theory because

of some reasons. Firstly, after the collapsing of the USSR, Russia Federation changed. They

jumped from communism to capitalism. This is very big and confusing situation for Russia

and world politics, because under communism Russia was against capitalism and capitalist

powers such as she was against the USA, because the USA has capital economic system.

However, today, Russia became a more liberal state. Hence, the study wanted to show

these changes in Russia Federation so Liberalism was chosen as an international relations

theory. Secondly, anarchy is the big problem for states because if there is anarchy in the

international arena, states can do everything. For instance, strong states can occupy week

states and they kill many innocent people. This caused by anarchy. According to neo-realism,

the permissive cause of war is international anarchy because of this; structural realism was

chosen as an international relations theory. The most important thing is that Liberalism says

that we can overcome anarchy with cooperation but neo-realism says that anarchy is

inevitable cause of war. This means that both of these theories are like opposite so this

situation shows me strengths and weaknesses of theories.

Background on Russia-Georgia Conflict

In 1989, the USSR started to collapse and some nations wanted to be independent such

as Georgia and South Ossetia. However, Georgians did not want to see South Ossetia as

independent states. „When in 1991 the Soviet Union collapsed and Georgian independence

2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberalism#International_relations_theory

3
(within the borders of the Georgian Soviet Republic, and therefore including South Ossetia

and Abkhazia) was recognized by the international community, South Ossetia rejected this

and continued to assert its independence. Georgia declared the South Ossetia autonomous

republic abolished.‟3 Many years later after this event, in 2008, South Ossetia wanted to be

independent from Georgia again. After that, Georgia attacked South Ossetia`s capital,

Tskhinvali. Following day, Russian military came to South Ossetia and engaged Georgian

forces around Tskhinvali. Georgia and Russia fought heavily in 5 days. After 5 days,

Georgian military forces are repulsed and Georgian cities; Poti and Gori are occupied by

Russian military forces. After that, the USA and the EU showed reaction for this situation.

The USA`s hospital ship and NATO`s two battleships crossed from the Bosporus and

Dardanelles straits. Actually, this is banned with Montreux Straits Treaty of 1936. „It severely

restricts the passage of non-Turkish military vessels and prohibits some types of warships,

such as aircraftcarriers, from passing through the Straits.‟4Then Nicholas Sarkozy went to

Russia for mediation. Hence, Georgia and Russia reached a cease-fire agreement.

However, Russia formed buffer zones against Georgia around Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

After that Abkhazia and South Ossetia declared their independence from Georgia and Russia

Federation recognize independence of these states although rest of the world` s reactions.

This conflict occurred between Russia, Georgia but there were other inside actors and

outside actors such as separatist self-proclaimed republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as

inside actors and the USA, the EU as outside actors. Moreover, there were some important

players on this event, such as MikhaelSaakashvili as Prime Minister of Georgia, Dimitry

Medvedev as President of Russia Federation, Vladimir Putin as Prime Minister of Russia

4
Federation, VasiliyLunev as Minister of Defense of South Ossetia, AnatoliyZaitsev as

military spokesman of Abkhazia. They fought all together against Georgia. Nicolas Sarkozy

as the EU chairman tried to play mediator role in this conflict. Also as an INGO, NATO

interested with Russia-Georgia conflict and it sent war ships to Georgian costs.

Analysis

The conflict between Russia and Georgia is a big problem. As I said before, it affected

whole world. Even NATO sent two battle ships to Georgian costs. This conflict could spread

all over the world. Abkhazia and South Ossetia wanted to be independent from Georgian like

in end of the 1980s but Georgia did not want this situation. „Vladimir Putin‟s Kremlin had

said that if Georgia attacked South Ossetia, Russia would fight. Georgian advocates in the

West claimed that Moscow was only bluffing. It wasn‟t.‟5 Georgia attacked and Russia

answered as they said. However, who is the right side or wrong side? We don‟t know this.

International Relations Theories can explain this situation and they can give the answer of the

question of who is the right or wrong side?

According to Neo-realism perspective, there are four main reason of the conflict

between Russia and Georgia in fact. These are anarchy, Georgian weakness, balance of

power, security dilemma.

The most important cause of the conflict is anarchy, according to neo-realism, because

„there is no world government to prevent states from using force, states may pursue policies

of war in their efforts to survive and pursue any other goals they may have.‟6 Anarchy can be

5
http://www.newamerica.net/publications/articles/2008/roots_conflict_between_georgia_south_ossetia_and
_russia_7728
6
Sterling-Folker, Jennefer.Making Sense of International Relations Theory.Colarado: Lynne Rienner Publishers.
2006. P.18

5
internally or externally. External anarchy means that international anarchy. In case of the

conflict between Russia and Georgia, Russia attacked Georgia and this is a good example of

international anarchy because Russia attacked another independent state. Georgia attacked

Abkhazia and South Ossetia but they were provinces of Georgia and this was domestic matter

of Georgia but Russia interested with this issue and Russia started to fight against Georgia.

Internal anarchy causes civil war, Abkhazia and South Ossetia wanted to be independent

countries and they revolted against Georgia so it wanted to control their territories and

attacked. „There is no international sovereign to protect states from domestic dissent or make

them threat their inhabitants fairly.‟7

Moreover, Georgia was a week state politically, economically, etc. Of course when a

state or government is week, it can lose some of its territory. Hence, Georgia lost Abkhazia

and South Ossetia, although it doesn‟t recognize their independence, because, Russia

established buffer zone around Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Second reason is that Georgian weakness according to neo realism. Georgia is a weak

state politically, economically, etc. as a state. Because of this, ethnic groups in Georgia

rebelled against Georgia. They wanted to gain independence from Georgia so Georgia

attacked South Ossetia for overcome revolt. However, Weak states generally become targets

of great powers. Hence, Russia helped Abkhazia and South Ossetia as militarily and later

politically. Thus, Russia and Georgia started to fight.

Another factor of this conflict is balance of power. In the case of Kosovo, the USA

recognized Kosovo as an independent state and this situation decreased Russia. Because,

7
Sterling-Folker, Jennefer.Making Sense of International Relations Theory.Colarado: Lynne Rienner Publishers.
2006. P.19

6
Russia supported Serbia and she did not recognize independence of Kosovo from Serbia.

Hence, in the case of Russia-Georgia conflict, Russia support Abkhazia and South Ossetia and

she recognized them as independent countries but the USA did not recognize their

independence from Georgia. This can be seen as revenge but actually, this is not revenge.

This is balance of power in the international relations.

Last factor is security dilemma. The U.S-Russian security dilemma is shaping the

world. Actually, this caused by NATO` s expansion without Russia. Georgia wants to join

NATO and Russia did not want this. This situation creates big security dilemma. Because of

this, Russia tried to prevent Georgia with this conflict.

However, some media institutions said like Russian Imperialism and Russian

Aggression but this is not true because according to liberal perspective, it emphasizes

individual rights and equality of opportunity. Thus, Abkhazia and South Ossetia wanted to be

independent from Georgia but Georgia attacked Abkhazia and South Ossetia and it killed

many people including Russian citizens in South Ossetia because of this, Russia Federation

attacked Georgia for protecting her citizens` s individual rights. Another thing is Georgia

prohibited freedom of South Ossetia and Abkhazia by this attack.

Moreover, attacking of Georgia to South Ossetia and Abkhazia creates some

prohibitions for economy and free trade. If Georgia did not start this conflict, the ports of

Georgia would not close so this conflict prohibit right of free trade of people. Also, it affect

Caucasian States` s economy.

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 After Rose Revolution in Georgia, MikhaelSaakashvili` s government applied

aggressive policy toward ethnic society in Georgia like in the case of South Ossetia and

Abkhazia. His government did not give equal rights them. Hence, this was not democratic

governing. Because of this, always, ethnic groups in Georgia revolt against Georgia such as

revolt of Autonomous Republic of Adjara, South Ossetia, Abkhazia, etc. Liberalism support

self-determination for national minorities so independence is right of Abkhazia and South

Ossetia but MikhaelSaakashvili wanted to prevent this situation so he attacked them. This

situation created lack of liberty and injustice.

In addition, communication is very important for liberalism because conflicts can

solve with communication but Georgia did not communicate with South Ossetia, Abkhazia or

Russia. They preferred military action. MikhaelSaakashvili` s Georgia should respect basic

human rights of people such as security, liberty, property, etc. However, Georgian army killed

minorities, prevented liberty of them, and destroys their private properties.

CONCLUSION

The conflict between Russia and Georgia is very critical issue. One side can say that

Russia is right on this issue but on the other hand, other side can say that Georgia is right

side.However, as a result, this conflict affected both sides as politically, economically, etc.

The study tried to find a solution for this rightfulness debate with two of international

relations theories. These theories were neo realism (structural) and liberalism. Neo realism as

an international relations theory shows us anarchy is the biggest problem on this conflict. It

explains the biggest factor of the conflict with anarchy. Also, Neo realism shows other factors

of the conflict, such as Georgian weakness, balance of power, and security dilemma. Georgian

weakness shows us weak states can be target of other big states. Balance of power explained

8
that there is a balance of power between Russia Federation and the USA. This situation shows

that Georgia was used like a pawn in chess by Russia and the USA. Also, Georgia wanted to

join NATO but Russia perceived this situation as a danger so this created a security dilemma.

On the other hand, Liberalism shows importance of freedom, protecting rights of

minority groups, equality, etc. However, Georgia (Saakashvili` s Government) applied wrong

method for finishing revolt against his governance. He applied military action and this creates

big conflict between Russia and Georgia. There are many Russian citizens in the region of

South Ossetia and Abkhazia so attacking of Georgia to this region made angry Russia

Federation. These theories are opposite, because cooperating can overcome anarchy according

to liberalism but according to neo realism anarchy is inevitable cause of the conflicts. This

situation shows that liberalism is more optimistic than neo realism. Actually, liberalism

cannot explain everything in the conflict but it is right in some points such as every state can

respect basic human rights. Neo realism is very strict so it is based on term of anarchy but it

can be better than other kinds of realism because structural realism rejects human nature as a

source of conflicts.

As a result, international relations theories help to see political events from different

perspectives as in this paper. Liberalism and neo realism provides to see Russia-Georgia

Conflict with different ways and logic.

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 REFERENCES

GRIFFITHS, Martin. (2007). International relations theory for the twenty-first

century :an introduction. London; New York: Routledge

KANBOLAT, Hasan. Montreux Straits Treaty after South Ossetia War (1)
The history of the Turkish Straits

http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/yazarDetay.do?haberno=150871

LIEVEN, Anatol.Roots of the Conflict Between Georgia, South Ossetia and Russia [Online]
Available

http://www.newamerica.net/publications/articles/2008/roots_conflict_between_georgi
a_south_ossetia_and_russia_7728

STERLING-FOLKER, Jennefer. (2006). Making Sense of International Relations

Theory.Colarado: Lynne Rienner Publishers.

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