Author(s): Zurab Khonelidze / Language(s): Georgian
Issue: 1/2022
For Georgia, the 30 years of non-systemic dismantling of the Soviet system, and the nation’s state-building course has turned out to be full of contradictions. On the outset of the post-Soviet space transformation, we, like several other coun-tries, were betrayed by our political intuition, having not been able to escape the “mines” planted by the empire – especially the imposed ethno political conflicts, whose tragic consequences still affect the Georgian state and society.The author’s interest in the set of issues in question did not arise out of free time, or a passion for politics. The analysis of Georgia’s problems, which have accu-mulated for decades, is urging us to recognize the inadmissibility of the status quo. The Georgia of today is a temporarily divided, politically ill, and morally distressed national body whose future the author sees only in terms of successfully achieving organic unity.At the same time, as a precondition, we should concentrate on a topic that, taking into account the necessary internal and external factors, will be connected to the realization of the nation’s consolidating idea: Georgia’s unity and freedom at the highest value–this taking place within the country! We should also focus on Georgia’s international standing, and discover how the civilized world perceives the territorial integrity of the Georgian state within its internationally recognized borders–this taking place beyond the country! The topic that meets these criteria is a singular one, and it is connected with the reconciliation of a pseudo-ethnopolit-ical conflict: the problem of Abkhazia (as well as the so-called South Ossetia). The topic which meets the pertinent criteria features prominently and consistently on the agendas of reputable international institutions; the theme is singular and is as-sociated with a lack of respect not just towards a plain sectoral economic develop-ment of one given country, but with a sense of disregard for the state, the national, and even the fundamental norms of international law, thus impairing the resolu-tion of the conflict in Abkhazia (and in South Ossetia).It is exactly this idea, born of the inner need and the attempt of its realization, that makes the present work, Georgian Paradigm of Peace, not only a theoretical work, but one which has practical value (nothing is more practicable than a good theory). In fact, by way of following the political rules, it creates the possibility of making a profound change in our thinking about peaceful coexistence with other nations and countries. This is also a chance to create a new and more desirable nar-rative, to change the existing given and, consequently, to alter the Georgian state, its fate, and, ultimately, its future.The aim of this article is, partly by means of a brief historical excursus, to review our non-standard vision and our firm statehood-oriented position, based on new knowledge. As a guide to the reader’s judgment, let us put forward some cen-tral questions that will guide our discourse: how is University Diplomacy (the syn-ergy of the university and diplomacy) manifested in the emerging global space, and what is its importance to the formation of the South Caucasus (whose significance as a whole is far greater than its constituent three parts)? As a peace space, how does the concept/practice boost the expansion and the improvement of the ste-reotype of their behavior, deepening and developing both public and intercultural relations, changing the surrounding world for the better by using all the pragmatic good that the parties might provide to this end.The author, despite his passionate beliefs, has no intention of burdening a reader who is already caught up in the monotonous grind of everyday life. Neither does the author wish to impose his beliefs onto this reader. On the contrary, he hopes to offer the necessary respect and consideration for the reader’s tradition val-ue system or beliefs. He hopes his use of Western pragmatism and Eastern charm will awaken the jaded reader from his hazy disillusionment– disillusionment in which the political system and cultural biases have so deeply wrapped him. The author wishes to earn the trust of Abkhazians and South Ossettians and introduce them to this work, which the author believes will be valuable for any reader who cares about his own destiny and future of his own people, nation, or state.
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