Exploring the Caucasus in the 21st Century: Essays on Culture, History and Politics in a Dynamic Context (Amsterdam Contributions)

Situated between Russia, Turkey, and Iran and comprising part of the Russian Federation along with Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, the Caucasus region is best known for ethnic and religious divides that have resulted in bloody conflicts for centuries, most recently between various minorities and the post-Soviet independent states. This extensive volume reveals the rich and multifaceted nature of the Caucasus and includes a study of the region’s transition to independence; an exploration of the area’s religions; and a discussion of the role of art in war-torn communities. It is necessary reading for anyone with an interest in one of the world’s most complex regions. Annotation Although the name Caucasus has been around for some 2000 years, and may suggest unity and coherence, the region these days is best known for the ethnic and religious divides resulting in recurrent bloody conflicts between the various minorities and the post-Soviet independent states. Geographically, the Caucasus has traditionally been a buffer between Russia, Turkey and Iran. Part Russian Federation, part Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, the area has a tradition of fast-shifting partnerships, of rich and varied cultural heritage, and fierce ethnic tensions going back centuries. This fascinating volume creates an illuminating perspective on the politics, history and culture of the Caucasus: it includes an account of how several 19th century Hungarian linguists fascinated by the region's famously difficult languages conducted field research still used by politicians to prove or disprove ethnic links ; an analysis of the recurring forcible movements of the people; a study of the region's Russian Imperial past; an exploration of the Muslim North/Christian South division in the context of the recent conflicts and their international ramifications; the elite-driven nature of the region's politics; finally, the role of art as a medium of freedom in the war-torn zones of the region. Necessary reading for everyone with an interest in the history of one of the world's tinderboxes. This title can be previewed in Google Books - http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN9789089641830 Cover......Page 1 Exploring the Caucasus in the 21st Century: Essays on Culture, History and Politics in a Dynamic Context......Page 4 Copyright......Page 5 Table of contents......Page 6 On the spelling, words and map in this book......Page 8 Introduction......Page 12 1. Gábor Bálint de Szentkatolna (1844-1913) and the Study of Kabardian......Page 28 2. The Ethnic-Political Arrangement of the Peoples of the Caucasus......Page 48 3. An Island of Classical Arabic in the Caucasus: Dagestan......Page 64 4. Chechnya and Russia, between Revolt and Loyalty......Page 92 5. Recent Political History of the South Caucasus in the Context of Transition......Page 112 6. Authoritarianism and Party Politics in the South Caucasus......Page 136 7. Between State and Nation Building: The Debate about ‘Ethnicity’ in Georgian Citizens’ ID Cards......Page 158 8. The War in South Ossetia, August 2008: Four Perspectives......Page 182 9. The Recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia: A New Era in International Law......Page 196 10. Freedom of Speech in the Caucasus: Watch-dog Needed in Armenia and Azerbaijan......Page 212 11. Beyond Frontiers: Engagement and Artistic Freedom in South Caucasus Modern Culture (Armenia and Azerbaijan)......Page 234 List of Contributors......Page 254 1. Gábor Bálint de Szentkatolna (1844-1913) and the study of Kabardian / László Marácz 2. The ethnic-political arrangement of the peoples of the Caucasus / René Does 3. An island of classical Arabic in the Caucasus : Dagestan / Michael Kemper 4. Chechnya and Russia, between revolt and loyalty / Marc Jansen 5. Recent political history of the south Caucasus in the context of transition / Franc̜oise Campanjen 6. Authoritarianism and party politics in the south Caucasus / Max Bader 7. Between state and nation building : the debate about 'ethnicity' in Georgian citizens' ID cards / Oliver Reisner 8. The war in South Ossetia, August 2008 : four perspectives / Franc̜oise Companjen 9. The recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia : a new era in international law / Charlotte Hille 10. Freedom of speech in the Caucasus : watch-dog needed in Armenia and Azerbaijan / Lia Versteegh 11. Beyond frontiers : engagement and artistic freedom in south Caucasus modern culture (Armenia and Azerbaijan) / Evan Navarro Martínez. Edited By Françoise Companjen, László Marácz, Lia Versteegh. Includes Bibliographical References.