The Presidential Institute in Georgia: Subjective Understanding of Political Needs and Institutional Transformations

Abstract

This paper discusses the formation of the Presidency as an institution and the presidential rule in Georgia, as well as some attempts by leaders in power to change and strengthen the Presidency. Until 2010, changes in the Presidency had been meant to strengthen the institution, but the 2010 constitutional changes made prime minister the head of the executive branch and significantly limited the powers of the president. This paper discusses the process of establishing the Presidency according to the terms of three Presidents of Georgia—Zviad Gamsakhurdia, Eduard Shevardnadze and Mikheil Saakashvili. The process of power formation is discussed within Pierre Bourdieu’s theory of social capital and social space/fields. The analysis focuses on the context, importance of personal capital, interaction with socially relevant actors/agents, steps taken to strengthen the personal power, development of media content, and the impact of procedural changes on the institutional sustainability.