Journal of Social Sciences

7-12

Authors: Rachel B. ASAGBA, Catherine O. CHOVWEN, Aderemi I. ALARAPE, Samson F. AGBEROTIMI

Predictors of drug involvement among secondary school students in Ibadan were examined in this study. Two hundred and four (204) students comprising 113 males and 91 females, whose age ranged between 13 and 25 years (M = 16.32, S.D. = 1.81) participated in the study. Data collected with a structured questionnaire were subjected to independent sample t-test, and regression analysis. Psychosocial factors (life purpose, need for achievement and self-esteem) significantly predicted drug abuse [F (6, 113) = 7.75; p < .01, R2 = .29]. Participants with low score on life purpose reported higher substance abuse than those with high score on life purpose, t (161) = 2.62, p <.05 ; those with low score on the need for achievement reported higher substance abuse than those with high score on the need for achievement, t (162) = 4.09, p < .01 ; those with low score on the need for achievement reported higher substance abuse than those with high score on the need for achievement t (162) = 2.62, p <.05; female participants reported higher substance abuse than male counterparts, t (176) = - 4.05, p <.01). In conclusion, it is expedient that efforts be intensified on actions that will reawaken the strive for excellence and sense of self worth through engagement in self development activities, thereby minimizing the prevalence of substance abuse among Nigerian youths.

19-23

Authors: Sopio GABELAIA

The democratic system of governance reform is one of the main directions of the establishment and development of the civil society. Civil society is any activity, any initiative of individuals, spontaneously created self-governance and citizens based associations and organizations, which are supported and protected by the law of the state in their work. Tocqueville first presented civil society to the West as voluntary, non-political social organizations that strengthen democracy preventing a tyranny of the majority. Associations, which can be “religious, moral, serious, futile, general or restricted, enormous or diminutive”, protect diversity by uniting equal but weak individuals into powerful groups. These associations prevent the fragmentation of society by forcing men to consider the affairs of others and to work with their neighbors. In different epoch and in different situations the term “civil society” may be understood in different ways, it may be freedom of speech, wide field of opportunities, democracy, unity of some interests, communication, globalization, activity, governmental and non-governmental associations. In order to get effective functioning of the mechanism, the main thing is to inform society and earn good reputation and trust. All citizens should be acknowledged with the main point of civil society, their functions, duties, obligations and when they can apply to them and what kind of problems they are concerned with. Most important, is more communication, and civil society itself should be interested in providing them with more information about their job, aims, plans and do their best to make citizens get involved in any business or activities. This communication should be bilateral, active and effective. The purpose of the paper is to discuss what kind of prehistory civil society had and how great its role is in the development processes of democratic governance.

31-34

Authors: Natalia BERUASHVILI

Current European Security Strategy was adopted in December 2003. It was drafted within the understanding of geopolitical situation and security threats existed especially after 9/11 events. During the period of more than thirteen years, numerous geopolitical changes took place due to the situation in Syria, Iraq, conflict in Ukraine, recent events in Europe including, migration of Syrian refugees, terrorist attacks in Belgium, France and Turkey. The changes in the international context should have significant consequences for the EU strategic security approach. In this paper, I will review main aspects of the EU Security Strategy, key challenges and the need for its revision, discuss EU Security Strategy and its relationship with Georgia as an example of collaboration with partner countries.

41-56

Authors: Amiran KAVADZE

The article sheds the light on the Georgian-Russian long negotiations at the Russia’s bid to join WTO. The paper discloses details and strategies of bilateral trade diplomacy, offers more in depth analyses and better understanding of reasons and circumstances which led to the long negotiations cycle and time-to-time breaking of entire Russia’s WTO accession process. It is shown that the crisis in relations between Tbilisi and Moscow in most cases was politically motivated and often negatively affected the trade talks. The author tries to respond to speculations about Georgia’s “troublemaking” at the WTO deliberations, which was caused by the lack of information and understanding of the background the Georgia-Russia standoff and diplomatic strategies and tools practiced by the both countries. The current work at the certain degree fills the gap in knowledge of “big country–small country” trade dispute resolution, explores better understanding of negotiations process and its peculiarities as well as outcome of 11 years of start-stop talks. The research concentrates on long pending customs checkpoint issues as well as “costs and benefits” questions and concludes that the signed Agreement on customs administration and monitoring of trade across the contested borders and the enforcement process did not meet Tbilisi’s high expectations in five years time since its conclusion.

65-69

Authors: Tamta TSKHOVREBADZE

Although nearly two decades have passed since the USSR crumbled, its legacy is still helping to shape security within, and relations between, former member states, as well as their relations with other states in the world. Already back in the 90’s of the past century, it seemed like peace and security should have been within the interests of not just this region, but of the whole world, notably due to region’s geographic location and geo-strategic potential and its increasing importance as the main link of transport and communication projects. Apart from the geopolitical significance, the stability of Post-Soviet Space is imperiled by numerous domestic and transnational security challenges, such as: unresolved conflicts, socio-economic hardships, organized crime, trafficking and migration. The scale and scope of these transnational problems require a coordinated action. Since the region is intensely divided by conflicts and the competing interests of regional powers, the region would benefit from a greater cross-border collaboration. However, regional cooperation is not as well developed as it could be, hampering economic development, security and further destabilizing the area. This became even more important after the tragic events of 9/11, which made it apparent, that there exist no conflicts or crises of more and less important and these problems could have been resolved only through joint cooperation at the international and regional levels.

4

Authors: Svetlana CEBOTARI, Anatolie BUCUCI

Republic of Moldova’s realistic analysis of its security is required to be addressed in terms of geopolitical and geographical position. However Moldova is a state of a geopolitical border, with direct border with the EU and NATO on the one hand and indirect with the Russian Federation, on the other hand. Thus, Moldova ‘s geopolitical position is totally different on the grounds that is in the area of vital geopolitical interests of the Russian Federation and also near other areas listed above. Moldova’s geopolitical situation is disadvantaged in terms of perception that the Russian Federation has on the post- Soviet space (abroad), that are regarded as exclusive spheres of interest. The events in eastern part of Ukraine caused by Russian-Ukrainian contradictions have a direct impact on regional security. This article will analyze the impact of the Russian and Ukrainian crises on the security of the Republic of Moldova.

5

Authors: Ketevan CHAKHAVA, Eze Friday IKECHUKWU

This article examines the role of the European Union in assurance to Energy Security for its citizens, types of energy, challenges that hinders the supply of energy. Tension between European states and effects on the European Union. Ways of developing infrastructure towards clean resources to reduce gas emissions and climate changes to achieve energy sustainability. Particular focusing on the challenges and treats in securing energy for the European union examine influence of actors such as organization and countries on the energy market for the European union. Furthermore the research paper examines the future plans of the European Union towards energy security and alternative energy resources for decrease dependence on fossil fuel.

6

Authors: Khatuna BURKADZE

The article aims to study the grounds of humanitarian intervention, analyse the rationale behind the use of force for humanitarian purposes in the context of international law while it lacks the clear-cut definition according to the UN Charter. In addition, the article examines the particular case of a humanitarian intervention that enables to comprehend the preconditions and criteria of intervention. It also looks at the controversial issues between the fundamental principles of international law and humanitarian intervention. The article clarifies the trends attempting to depict the aforesaid fundamental principles and humanitarian intervention as compatible institutions triggering the debates over establishing the humanitarian intervention as a customary law norm.

6

Authors: Besik MEURMISHVILI

The given article concerns the characteristics of initiating criminal prosecution in England and France. Besides that, discussions are held in the comparative legal context about initiating criminal prosecution in Georgia, France and England. Based on the comparison of procedural provisions of these countries the similarities and differences of initiating criminal prosecution have been distinguished. Furthermore, the article focuses on the range of bodies having an authority to initiate the prosecution. In the final part an evaluation is made whether it is appropriate to consider the elements of initiating prosecution of England and France in the criminal procedure law of Georgia.

9

Authors: Amiran KAVADZE, Tina KAVADZE, Ryhor NIZHNIKAU

Since collapse of communism, some theoretical and empirical knowledge has been accumulated which make it possible to elaborate certain observations over the processes of post-Communist transformation in post-Soviet countries. Despite the heavy criticism and uncovered fallacies of transitology in the academic literature, its ideas on sources of change based on neoliberal presumptions of linearity of change sustain in policy-making and academic circles, while many countries that supposedly embarked on the path of democratic transition towards this “endpoint” have stalled in their progress. To address this issue, in this paper we highlight that the transformation or persistence of rules depends on a number of interdependent factors. To assess the degree of transformation or persistence of rules, first it is pointed at the prevalence of politics over economy and hazardous impact of homogenization attitudes towards institutional change. Second, four interrelated issues are particularly highlighted as necessary factors for understanding the prospect and potential sustainability of change in the region: the level of inclusiveness of political institutions (political democracy), development of institutions and their capacities to regulate, level of inclusiveness of economic institutions (market economy) and strength of civil society and external factors, such as the ongoing EU-Russia competition in the case of the post-soviet countries.

12

Authors: Irena ILIC, Salome MARKOZIA

This paper provides an overview of some legal aspects of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement (AA) in the system of European Union law as an important foreign policy instrument for the regulation of bilateral relations. It outlines the history and mechanisms of the political and economic cooperation between the European Union and Georgia prior to the conclusion of the Association Agreement. The article also examines the implication of the AA for the process of European integration of Georgia and analyses some legal challenges and results of the implementation process. In addition, the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), which forms an integral part to the AA, is scrutinized as particularly significant for the economic integration of Georgia in the EU and for the mutual liberalization of trade.

5-12

Authors: Natalia BERUASHVILI

The purpose of this paper is to examine restrictions and different types of discriminations in order to determine the ways national rules hindering interstate trade and movement, are in conflict with Treaty of the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) provisions. Particular attention would be paid on intersection of the EU and Member States competencies as well as their division by the means of negative integration inevitably affecting regulatory powers of the Member States. Furthermore, we will study how Court using derogations to the free movement, endeavours to maintain the balance between exercising state competencies, mostly deriving from the State sovereignty and implementation of the EU Legislation necessary for effective functioning of the single market.

21-24

Authors: Dogan GIRGIN

This article concentrates on the new geopolitical role and place of Ukraine, taking into account consequences of the military conflict with Russia. After the Soviet Union collapsed, a huge transformation occurred because of the critical role and geopolitical importance of Ukraine for both Russia and the EU. The former considers it strategically important not only as a littoral state at the Black Sea that borders on several EU member states but also a transit country for Russian gas. In turn, the European Union occupies a cautious stance towards both Ukraine and Russia weighting positive and negative developments that its decisions may cause. Depending on the results of the future presidential elections, the United States might continue to pursue aims that would further irritate Russia or they will prefer to avoid actions that would risk harming Moscow’s ties with Washington.

31-39

Authors: Amiran KAVADZE, Tina KAVADZE

Following the collapse of Communist regimes across Eurasia, ecuritization became a pressing problem for newly emerging democracies as ruling elites in many post-Soviet states used securitization as a shield for retaining power. This study is based on case study analyses and has two objectives: to highlight the dynamics of Georgia’s securitization process, and to show how this process corresponds to existing theoretical and empirical experience. It is evident that the formulation of threat perceptions and the decision making process in Georgia have been constructed and dominated by the elite of the United National Movement (UNM). Georgia’s move under Saakashvili’s regime on securitization has been fairly controversial – it has been responsible for both the rise and then the fall of his regime. During the last decade, Georgia under Saakashvili’s rule has represented a bright illustration of the beginning of a successful and then failed securitization process. Research shows that securitization can be successful in the short run and is particularly likely to succeed in post-communist and Eurocentric countries, ruled by authoritarian or “competitive authoritarian regimes”. However, in the long run, securitization leads to the curbing of basic freedoms and the introduction of far-reaching extraordinary measures in the name of security cannot sustain itself and inevitably fails.

47-50

Authors: Malkhaz CHAKHNASHVILI

General Administrative Code (GAC) of Georgia contains article upon which any agreement, concluded by public agency is a civil contract. We think that one and the same agreement cannot be recognized both as administrative and civil. Author tries to distinguish above-mentioned agreements from each other by their objectives, identity and interests of the parties of agreement and types of rules which govern them. On the ground of analysis of different administrative cases author offers own versions of relevant provisions of GAC of Georgia.

5-9

Authors: ilyas Ciloglu, Ana GOGOLADZE

Abstract The purpose of this research paper is to determine the volume of the production and market demand for Georgian mineral water, to identify competitiveness between producers, awareness among consumers and their demands on packaging and pricing. Also to study export climate and effects of political decisions on the Georgian mineral water market. The paper examines overall situation on Georgian mineral water mar- ket by survey and interviews. The analyzed results presented in this paper demonstrate that, Georgian mineral water market can be described as competitive, with variety of products, high quality and low prices. Mineral water is produced by both - low and high income consumers and identification of one brand to another, affects the way consumers behave in choosing drinks. Georgian Mineral water is highly demanded prod- uct in foreign markets as well, because of the competitive advantages it has. According to the study, Georgian mineral water market can be evaluated as fast growing sector of the country’s economy. Thus, the given industry creates many jobs that result in domestic economic growth. Keywords brand, competition, consumer, domestic market, export, mineral water

19-26

Authors: Nika CHITADZE

Abstract The paper explores the main aspects of terrorism, particularly: Definition of terrorism, the history of terrorism, maintypes of terrorism and the basic methods used by the Terrorist Organizations. Keywords bombing, cyber-attacks, explosion, kidnapping, terrorism

5-9

Authors: Azer DILANCHIEV

Abstract The research paper employs the regression analysis of two variables entrepreneurship and unemployment rate from year 2003 to 2013. Entrepreneurship development as a phenomena generating jobs plays a vital role in particular to alleviate high unemployment level in countries like Georgia. It concludes that for Georgia a country in transition entrepreneurship development plays a vital role for solving the unemployment problem. The analyses of two effects “Schumpeter” and “Refugee” have been tested. The effect of entrepreneurship has been found to be statistically significant.

29-38

Authors: Nika CHITADZE

Abstract The paper explores the basic socio-economic and political processes, which were going on in Georgia after the restoration of national independence in the beginning of the 90-th of the XX Century and which were related to the economic difficulties and conflicts in the two separatist regions of Georgia; also, the reasons, which determined the desire of Georgia, to develop cooperation with western democratic institutions – first of all with the European Union. The second part of the research is concentrated on the modern period, particularly, on the basic issues, related to the geopolitical importance of Georgia in the region, taking into consideration new geopolitical realities - main foreign policy and national security priorities of the country, reasons for the European Integration of Georgia, basic priorities of the EU Eastern Partnership Program and cooperation between EU and Georgia in different fields.