TERRITORIAL-BORDER ISSUES IN THE SOUTH CAUCASUS DURING THE SOVIET ERA

Abstract

The study of the emergence and evolution of territorial and border problems in the South Caucasus during the Soviet period is of a particular relevance today. Considering that the roots of modern territorial conflicts in the South Caucasus originate from the political processes that took place in the early twentieth century, the main purpose of the research is to analyse the historical background of these disputes, to examine the policy of border formation during the Soviet era, and to assess the impact of this policy on the contemporary situation in the region. Research Methodology. The study is based on frontier theory, which interprets borders not simply as fixed geographical lines but as dynamic political and administrative constructs shaped by power relations, security strategies, and processes of identity formation. From this perspective, a border is not merely a geographical concept; it is also a socio-political phenomenon closely connected with the construction of national identity, the preservation of collective memory, and the formation of historical and political narratives. Following Etienne Balibar’s conceptualization of borders as politically constructed and dispersed spaces rather than fixed territorial lines, this study interprets Soviet border-making in the South Caucasus as a dynamic process shaped by power relations and identity politics. Within the Soviet context, borders in the South Caucasus operated as flexible frontier zones that were repeatedly modified through administrative restructuring and political intervention. The research employs historiographical and comparative analysis, systematisation of archival materials, identification of cause-and-effect relationships in political decision-making, analytical generalisation, and spatial and temporal evaluation. Various archival documents, official decrees, and ideological approaches of the Soviet period are examined in order to reveal the mechanisms of Soviet national policy and border formation. The scientific novelty lies in the application of frontier theory to reinterpret Soviet border-making policies in the South Caucasus as a dynamic and politically constructed process, supported by newly introduced archival materials. The study systematically reveals the influence of the “temporary” nature of borders after the incorporation of the South Caucasus republics into the Soviet Union, frequent border changes and population relocations on the political map and ethnodemographic structure of the region. The scientific novelty lies in the fact that the transformation of borders in the South Caucasus during the Soviet era is analysed for the first time through a comprehensive approach, combining political decisions, archival materials, ethnic factors, territorial claims, administrative subordination and regional strategies. The research proves that the deliberate maintenance of instability in borders served as a mechanism for deepening tensions among the republics, strengthening political dependence and contributing to the formation of long-term conflicts that continue to this day. Conclusions. The results show that the borders within the USSR in the South Caucasus were not formed on ethnic, historical or legal principles, which made them unstable and turned them into a subject of territorial dispute after the collapse of the Soviet empire. The consequences of Soviet national and border policies are considered one of the main causes of ongoing conflicts in the region. Therefore, the scientific analysis of current developments, the study of historical experience and the objective evaluation of past political decisions remain essential for understanding the contemporary geopolitical processes in the South Caucasus.

Key words: South Caucasus, Soviet Empire, regional conflicts, administrative-territorial division, territorial-border issues, national interests, disputed territories