What should we name the Second Republic of Georgia?

Abstract

Countries worldwide have long adopted the practice of giving different names to various political regimes/forms of government and corresponding historical periods; such examples are abundantly given in our research. In our work, this practice is considered by the example of the experience of several countries (France et al., Mexico, etc.), including the Soviet Union and former members of the so-called socialist camp (Poland et al., etc.).From the abovementioned viewpoint, scientific research is essential and exciting for Georgia as well, as during the last decades, it developed under the conditions of several political regimes, radically different from each other. Until 1917, Georgia was part of the Russian Empire; in 1918-1921, it was an independent, democratic republic; in 1921-1990, Georgia was a part of the Soviet Union as a result of occupation and actual annexation; in 1990-1992, the country was governed by "national government" that came to power as a result of elections and was overthrown as a result of a coup d'etat; in 1992-1995 Georgia was experiencing a severe political, economic and social crisis, ruling by the government of Eduard Shevardnadze till 2003, replaced by the political forces that came as a result of the "Rose Revolution." The changing of the government through elections took place only in 2012.The main goal of the research is to consider the international experience of the numbering of republics based on various documentary sources and relevant scientific literature; and, based on this, define specific criteria and approaches and adapt them to Georgian reality, review attempts at numbering the republics in Georgia and, most importantly, determining which republican period should be named the "Second Republic of Georgia."The main questions of the research are as follows: What is the international experience of the numbering of republican periods based on? What are the main criteria and approaches for assigning serial numbers to different Republican periods? Over the years, how the issue of the numbering of Republican periods was solved in Georgia? Why the Soviet Socialist Republic of Georgia is called the "Second Republic"? Why is it inappropriate to give the "Second Republic" name to Georgian SSR? Which republican period should we call the "Second Republic" and why?The main task of the research is to consider the definition of the Second Republic of Georgia based on the international experience and historical development of Georgia. In the research process, the qualitative research method is mainly used within the framework in which a hypothesis is put forward, and a conclusion is presented based on the analysis of specific facts, data, and secondary sources. The comparative analysis method is also actively used in the research process. Based on a comparative analysis, the determination of the numbering of republics in different countries has both - common and different characteristics. In general, it is determined by the following factors: the essential differences between the forms of government/political regimes, the issue of the legitimacy of these regimes, different constitutions, qualitative features characterized for this or that historical period, ideological and political differences between governments, etc.The hypothesis offered under the research - "The Second Republic of Georgia," should be called the political regime and historical period of 1990-1992, when the state was governed by a so-called "national government" under the leadership of Zviad Gamsakhurdia; the conclusion is based on the following arguments:First - the sovereign and legitimate political regime after the Democratic Republic of Georgia (First Republic) was the "Republic of Georgia," formed due to the democratic elections of October 28, 1990.Second - the government of the "Second Republic," on the very first day, declared itself a legal successor of the Democratic Republic of Georgia and recognized 1921-1990 as the period of occupation and actual annexation.Third - even though the "second republic" did not adopt a new constitution, because the government at that time objectively analyzed the existing situation and the inconsistency of the 1921 constitution with it, as a result of the amendments made to the existing constitution, the fundamental law of the Republic represented a different constitution, with a different form and arrangement of government.Fourth - the era of the existence of the "Republic of Georgia" from a historical point of view was a stage with outstanding political, economic, social, public, and other features in the history of Georgia, which should be distinguished from other eras. First - the sovereign and legitimate political regime after the Democratic Republic of Georgia (First Republic) was the "Republic of Georgia," formed due to the democratic elections of October 28, 1990.Second - the government of the "Second Republic," on the very first day, declared itself as the legal successor and successor of the Democratic Republic of Georgia and recognized 1921-1990 as the period of occupation and actual annexation.Third - the government of that time fairly analyzed the existing situation and the inconsistency of the 1921 constitution with it, and despite not adopting a new constitution, as a result of the amendments made in the current one, the fundamental law of the Republic presented to be a different constitution, with a different form and governmental arrangement.Fourth - the years of the "Republic of Georgia," from a historical viewpoint, were outstanding for Georgia in political, economic, social, public, and other regards, and it should be differentiated from other periods of our country.