The Role of Civil Society in the Transformation of Separatist Conflicts in the South Caucasus

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyse the role of civil society in the de facto states of the South Caucasus in the process of conflict transformation. It is based on a field research of the civil society organizations in Abkhazia and Nagorno Karabakh. The data were collected by the methods of expert interviews, semi-structured interviews and participant observation. The role of Abkhazian and Karabakh civil society organizations in the conflict transformation is identified as not only positive, but also as having some negative aspects. The study also makes some general remarks concerning the theory of conflict transformation.

Keywords

• conflict transformation
• de facto states
• non-governmental organizations
• civil society
• Abkhazia
• Nagorno-Karabakh