Ethnic movements selfdetermination dynamics in post-Soviet states (the cases of Azerbaijan and Georgia)

Introduction: the modern world includes a variety of self-determination movements, many of which have grown into large-scale political-territorial conflicts that continue to this day. The post-Soviet countries provide illustrative examples of this kind of movements. Objectives: to identify variability in the development trajectories of self-determination movements in Georgia and Azerbaijan. Methods: case-study, comparable-case method: five movements advocating self-determination of ethnic groups are analysed (three movements define themselves in interaction with the Georgian state, two – with the Azerbaijani one). Results: the research has revealed that the basis of self-determination movements is ethnic identity. Three cases have been identified to demonstrate similar dynamics: the Karabakh, Abkhaz and South Ossetian movements are involved in a recurring conflict for self-determination and are examples of successful movements. Two cases – the Adjarian and Talysh movements showed a decline in dynamics and a gradual extinction. Conclusions: the period of high activity and success in self-determination was the first half of the 1990s, when Azerbaijan and Georgia were going through systemic transformations and the formation of their own statehood. Further, their intentions to restore governability and maintain territorial integrity clashed with the will of movements for self-determination and self-government. Support from Russia or a kin-state of an ethnic minority also affects the dynamics of the confrontation. The development trajectory of the movements is determined by the dynamic balance of opposing forces.