ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book shows that civil-military relations in Russia are “volatile,” in large measure because of developments reminiscent of the onset of authoritarianism elsewhere. It suggests that that civil-military relations in Georgia may resemble those of post-independence Latin America—the 1820s and 1830s—more closely than those of the Twentieth Century. The book explores the conditions of the Russian military officers themselves promise ultimately to encourage political intervention by the military. It illustrates Civil-military relations in Georgia provide a striking contrast with those of Russia. The book describes the unique case, the high legitimacy of the Armenian military almost completely attenuates the political threat that it would otherwise pose because of its unprofessional background and its status as an “armed brotherhood.” It outlines the ultimate political importance of the praetorian tradition of Serbia, and the Serbian dominance of Tito’s military establishment.
