Being a State and States of Being in Highland Georgia

by Florian Mühlfried

The highland region of the republic of Georgia, one of the former Soviet Socialist Republics, has long been legendary for its beauty. It is often assumed that the state has only made partial inroads into this region, and is mostly perceived as alien. Taking a fresh look at the Georgian highlands allows the author to consider perennial questions of citizenship, belonging, and mobility in a context that has otherwise been known only for its folkloric dimensions. Scrutinizing forms of identification with the state at its margins, as well as local encounters with the erratic Soviet and post-Soviet state, the author argues that citizenship is both a sought-after means of entitlement and a way of guarding against the state. This book not only challenges theories in the study of citizenship but also the axioms of integration in Western social sciences in general.

Genres: Nonfiction

264 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly an exceptional piece of scholarship, not only in its excellent ethnographic work but also in its success in basing the problem of post-Soviet Georgian citizenship in a much-needed framework. Helped me a lot in understanding my own project, too. Wow!

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating anthropological study of citizenship among Tushetian communities in highland Georgia. The work approaches the complex topics of Soviet and rural citizenship with sensitivity and nuance, presenting both powerful theoretical arguments that challenge binary understandings of resistance against/compliance with the state, as well as personal stories of various Tushetians to illustrate the importance of mobility and autonomy to this community. Also contains fascinating information with regards to the relationship between the church and the state in modern Georgia. I highly recommend this work to anyone interested the Caucasus!