Abkhazia and Sovereignty Flashcards
Where is Abkhazia located?
North-east Georgia bordering Russia and Black Sea
What is the political status of Abkhazia?
declared independence from Georgia in 1992. de facto independent state
What are the 5 countries that recognise Abkhazia
Russia, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Syria, and Nauru
What triggered the Abkhazia–Georgia conflict?
ethnic tensions, competing nationalist claims, and post-Soviet instability. , lead to war in 1992–1993, which ended with Abkhaz separatists controlling most of the region.
How many died in 1992-1993 war?
10,000-15,000
How many Georgians displaced?
> 200,000
When did Russia recognize Abkhazia as independent?
Retaliation after Russo-Gregorian War 2008 as Georgia attempted assert military control over South Ossetia
What is Georgia’s position on Abkhazia?
considers Abkhazia part of its sovereign territory under international law and refers to it as occupied territory due to the Russian military presence.
How does the international community view Abkhazia?
majority of countries and the United Nations regard Abkhazia as part of Georgia.
What is the population of Abkhazia today?
240,000
What role does Russia play in Abkhazia?
economic aid, military protection, and passports; military bases; political and economic influence
How much of Abkhazia’s budget is given as aid by Russia
43.6%
Is Abkhazia a sovereign state under international law?
not meet the criteria for full de jure sovereignty under the Montevideo Convention due to its lack of widespread diplomatic recognition.
How does Realism explain the Abkhazia situation?
Russia asserting dominance in its near-abroad. Sovereignty is treated instrumentally, as Russia uses Abkhazia to project power and counter Western influence in Georgia.
How does Liberalism interpret the case of Abkhazia?
highlights how diplomatic isolation and the absence of rule-based governance prevent Abkhazia from achieving peaceful integration or recognition.
How does Constructivism explain Abkhazia’s quest for sovereignty?
national identity, historical memory, and narratives of victimhood and independence shape Abkhazia’s self-conception as a state. Sovereignty is seen as a socially constructed status, not just legal.
How does Postcolonial Theory apply to Abkhazia?
frame Abkhazia as resisting centralized Georgian control, influenced by colonial-like dynamics. At the same time, it could critique Russia’s role as a neo-imperial power maintaining dominance over Abkhazia under the guise of support.
How does the concept of “De facto states” relate to Abkhazia?
internal sovereignty (government, territory, population) but lacks external recognition. Exists in limbo
What is the Security Dilemma in the Abkhazia context?
Georgia’s attempts to reassert sovereignty are viewed by Abkhazia (and Russia) as threats, prompting military buildup and Russian intervention. This creates a cycle of escalation, deepening the division and insecurity in the region.
