The State of Law in the South Caucasus (Euro-Asian Studies)

This book evaluates the strength of the rule of law in the South Caucasus, a volatile and strategically important region of the former Soviet Union. Contributors - all of whom who have lived and worked in Armenia, Azerbaijan or Georgia - tackle this question from the perspectives of both law and politics. A wide range of specific issues are addressed, including corruption in the justice system, forced migration, telecommunications and environmental protection. The Countries Of The South Caucasus - Georgia, Armenia And Azerbaijan - Have Been Plagued By The Failings Of The Rule Of Law. While The Quality Of Written Laws Has Improved Since Independence, Legal Institutions - And Perhaps Legal Culture - Continue To Be Weak. The Failings Of Law Have In Turn Had A Corrosive Effect On State-building And Democratization. This Book Examines The Rule Of Law In The Region From A Variety Of Themes And Perspectives, Such As Corruption, Elections, Relations With Europe, Legal Professions, Regulation Of Business, Environment Protection And Human Rights. The Impact Of Georgia's 'rose Revolution' And Law In The Separatist Territories Of The Region Are Also Discussed. Clash Of Institutions: Clientelism And Corruption Vs. Rule Of Law / Christoph H. Stefes -- 'georgians Cannot Help Being Original': The Evolution Of Election Rules In The Republic Of Georgia / Erik S. Herron And Irakli G. Mirzashvili -- Democratization And The Rule Of Law In Azerbaijan: Europe's Relevance / Gulara Guliyeva -- Rule Of Law In The Secessionist States / Christopher P.m. Waters -- Lawyers In The Caucasus: Climbing Out Of The Communist Shadows / Claude Zullo -- Legal Education In Azerbaijan: Past, Present And Future Challenges / Charles Robert Davidson And Nancy Sharp Nti Asare -- The Legal Basis For Business In Georgia / Marina Guledani -- Regulation And Reform In Telecommunications / Karen Andreasyan -- Linking Rule Of Law And Environmental Policy Reform In Armenia And Georgia / Allison Morrill Chatrchyan And Amanda E. Wooden -- Armenia's Women In Transition / Sara Anjargolian -- Protecting Housing And Property Rights Of The Displaced In Georgia / Anneke Rachel Smit. Edited By Christopher P.m. Waters. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Cover......Page 1 Contents......Page 8 Acknowledgements......Page 10 List of Contributors......Page 11 Introduction......Page 14 Part I Role of the State......Page 20 1 Clash of Institutions: Clientelism and Corruption vs. Rule of Law......Page 22 2 ‘Georgians Cannot Help Being Original’: the Evolution of Election Rules in the Republic of Georgia......Page 39 3 Democratization and the Rule of Law in Azerbaijan: Europe’s Relevance......Page 60 4 Rule of Law in the Secessionist States......Page 78 Part II Lawyering......Page 98 5 Lawyers in the Caucasus: Climbing out of the Communist Shadows......Page 100 6 Legal Education in Azerbaijan: Past, Present and Future Challenges......Page 115 Part III Regulation......Page 134 7 The Legal Basis for Business in Georgia......Page 136 8 Regulation and Reform in Telecommunications......Page 149 9 Linking Rule of Law and Environmental Policy Reform in Armenia and Georgia......Page 163 Part IV Vulnerable Groups and the Law......Page 198 10 Armenia’s Women in Transition......Page 200 11 Protecting Housing and Property Rights of the Displaced in Georgia......Page 215 D......Page 238 M......Page 239 T......Page 240 Z......Page 241 " ... An informative and well written book ... essential reading for anyone interested in rule of law discourse in general or the legal reform in post-revolutionary societies in particular."--Sudhir Krishnaswamy, The Law and Politics Examining the rule of law in the South Caucasus, this title explores a variety of themes, including corruption, elections, relations with Europe, legal professions, regulation of business, environment protection & human rights