THE ISSUE OF SELF-GOVERNANCE OF THE CITY OF TBILISI IN THE 19TH CENTURY AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF GEORGIAN PUBLIC AND POLITICAL OPINION

Abstract

The two main municipal reforms implemented in the second half of the 19th century in the Russian Empire, and earlier adopted models of self-governance of Tbilisi, played a largely positive role in raising public socio-political awareness and forming a new Georgian political elite. Despite their lack of democratic features, the different models of self-governance gave rise to a diversity of thought in Georgian politics.
The 1870 municipal governance statute and the 1892 counter-reform particularly boosted public activities within Georgian political life, which was manifested in arguing social, political, and ideological viewpoints. Thus, Georgian public managed to perceive the political subjects and their programs, and evolve with a greater demand for freedom, social benefits, and the establishment of democratic governance. On the other hand, politicians became primed for subsequent challenges, the greatest of which would be the independent, democratic Republic of Georgia in 1918-1921.