Title
Defending the Border: Identity, Religion, and Modernity in the Republic of Georgia (Culture and Society after Socialism),Used
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This book, one of the first in English about everyday life in the Republic of Georgia, describes how people construct identity in a rapidly changing border region. Based on extensive ethnographic research, it illuminates the myriad ways residents of the Caucasus have rethought who they are since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Through an exploration of three towns in the southwest corner of Georgia, all of which are situated close to the Turkish frontier, Mathijs Pelkmans shows how social and cultural boundaries took on greater importance in the years of transition, when such divisions were expected to vanish.By tracing the fears, longings, and disillusionment that border dwellers projected on the Iron Curtain, Pelkmans demonstrates how elements of culture formed along and in response to territorial divisions, and how these elements became crucial in attempts to rethink the border after its physical rigidities dissolved in the 1990s. The new boundarydrawing activities had the effect of grounding and reinforcing Soviet constructions of identity, even though they were part of the process of overcoming and dismissing the past. Ultimately, Pelkmans finds that the opening of the border paradoxically inspired a newfound appreciation for the previously despised Iron Curtain as something that had provided protection and was still worth defending.
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- Q: What is the main focus of 'Defending the Border'? A: The book explores how individuals in the Republic of Georgia construct their identities in a changing border region, particularly after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The author is Mathijs Pelkmans, an ethnographer who conducted extensive research in the Caucasus region.
- Q: What is the publication date of this book? A: The book was published on September 20, 2006.
- Q: How many pages does 'Defending the Border' have? A: The book contains 256 pages.
- Q: What edition of the book is available? A: This is the illustrated edition of 'Defending the Border'.
- Q: In what format is the book available? A: The book is available in paperback format.
- Q: Is the book suitable for academic study? A: Yes, the book provides valuable insights into identity and culture in the Republic of Georgia, making it suitable for academic study.
- Q: What themes are explored in the book? A: Themes include identity construction, cultural boundaries, and the impact of territorial divisions in the context of a post-Soviet society.
- Q: Does the book include ethnographic research? A: Yes, the book is based on extensive ethnographic research conducted in the Republic of Georgia.
- Q: What is the condition of the book? A: The book is listed as new.