Publication

This issue of the Caucasus Analytical Digest examines the political systems of the South Caucasus countries. First, Alexander Cooley and Lincoln Mitchell argue that Georgia needs democracy in order to ensure close ties with the West and prevent a recurrence of the kind of poor decision-making that led to the August 2008 war with Russia. Second, David Petrosyan analyzes the political system of Armenia. Third, Joshua Noonan compares the attitudes toward political participation for Azerbaijani minorities in Georgia with the attitudes of Azerbaijanis in Azerbaijan. Finally, Heiko Pleines gives a brief introduction to political country rankings such as provided by Freedom House. There follows an in-depth comparison of the major country rankings.