Understanding the concept of the nation by Georgian Marxists and their influence on the process of Georgian nation-building in the Years 1893–1917

Abstract

ABSTRACT During the period from 1893 to 1917, Georgia was part of the Russian Tsarist Empire. The process of shaping the modern Georgian nation was far more complex than a mere shift from feudalism to industrialism. While the ideas of the Marxist proletarian revolution captivated the Georgian people, they also remained deeply committed to the pursuit of national independence. This era, spanning from 1893 to 1917, can be regarded as the political phase of Georgian nation-building. Significant political developments took place during this time, with the emergence of various parties in Georgia, including the “Third Generation,” the first Social-Democratic group in Georgia, and Transcaucasia, established in 1893. Despite the prominence of national concerns, the notion of societal division into classes remained relevant in Georgian society. This study primarily relies on the analysis of secondary sources and examines how the Georgian nation navigated the process of modernization while coexisting with two distinct and contrasting ideologies and political perspectives from 1893 to 1917 and how the popular Marxist ideology at the turn of the twentieth century was reflected on Georgian thinkers, as well as the impact it had on Georgian political reality.