ECONOMIC CHANGE AND DEVELOPMENT IN GEORGIA AFTER THE ROSE REVOLUTION: A BOOST TO THE MIKHEIL SAAKASHVILI'S CONSOLIDATION OF AUTHORITY.

This article examines the economic change and development in Georgia after the Rose Revolution and analyzes its impact on the Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili's struggle for remaining in power. It also explores the periods of Zviad Gamsakhurdia and Eduard Shevardnadze, the first and second president of Georgia, respectively. The article discusses how Gamsakhurdia's policies prepared the ground for the emergence of complex problems that would result in weakening of Georgian state in many fields including economy besides bringing about his own removal from power. It lastly puts forward that whereas economic hardship motivated the masses to rise against Shevardnadze in the framework of Rose Revolution, economic development and improved life standards resulted in sustained support for Saakashvili and strengthened his hand against the opposition [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]