ABSTRACT
During the past twenty years, de facto statehood has been an important area of research among political scientists, geographers, experts in security studies, international relations, and area studies. This research has deepened our knowledge and understanding of development in these enduring yet unrecognized, and to a certain extent, still isolated regions. The aim of this chapter is to present an overview, periodization, and critical reflection of the social science research dealing with the topic of post-Soviet de facto states.
