Exploring Azerbaijan's Development Tier: Second Or Third World?

Azerbaijan is a small, secular nation located in the Caucasus region, straddling Europe and Asia. It is considered an upper-middle-income country with a high level of economic development and literacy. Azerbaijan has a long history of being ruled by various empires, including the Persian empires and the Russian Empire, before gaining independence twice: first in 1918 and again in 1991.

The country has a diverse population, with over 80 ethnic groups, and a majority-Turkic and Shia Muslim population. While Azerbaijan guarantees religious freedom, it has faced criticism from human rights organisations for its treatment of critics and journalists, with accusations of corruption and authoritarianism under the Aliyev family rule, which has been in power since 1993.

Azerbaijan's economy is heavily based on oil and energy exports, and it has used its natural resources to rebuild its army and develop its infrastructure. The country has also been able to reduce its poverty rate since gaining independence. However, it continues to face challenges in diversifying its industries and addressing corruption.

With a rich history and cultural traditions in music, dance, and literature, Azerbaijan is known for its longstanding craft art and was among the earliest nations to experiment with cinematography.

Azerbaijan's economy

Azerbaijan's main exports include crude petroleum, natural gas, refined petroleum, fertilisers, and aluminium. Its main export partners are Italy, Turkey, Israel, India, and Greece.

Azerbaijan's main import commodities are cars, refined petroleum, crude petroleum, wheat, and packaged medicine. Its main import partners are Russia, Turkey, China, the UAE, and Georgia.

Azerbaijan's GDP (PPP) in 2023 was estimated to be around $215.896 billion, with a GDP per capita of around $21,300. The country's GDP growth rate in 2023 was estimated to be 1.12%.

Azerbaijan's government

Azerbaijan is a semi-presidential republic with a president, currently Ilham Aliyev, and a prime minister, currently Ali Asadov. Aliyev has been in power since 2003, and his family has ruled Azerbaijan since 1993.

The country's government has been described as authoritarian and has faced increasing criticism over its human rights record and charges of corruption. Western governments and groups such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and Reporters Without Borders have accused Azerbaijan of suppressing its critics and journalists.

Azerbaijan's unicameral National Assembly consists of 125 deputies elected based on a majority vote, with a term of five years each. The New Azerbaijan Party, in power since 1993, and independents loyal to the ruling government currently hold almost all of the parliament's seats.

The executive power is held by the president, who is elected for a seven-year term by direct elections, and the prime minister. The president is authorised to form the Cabinet, which consists primarily of the prime minister, their deputies, and ministers. The president does not have the right to dissolve the National Assembly but has the right to veto its decisions.

Azerbaijan's constitution states that it is a secular state and guarantees religious freedom. The vast majority of the country's population (97%) is nominally Muslim, but the constitution does not declare an official religion, and all major political forces in the country are secular.

Azerbaijan's military

The Azerbaijani military has undergone extensive modernisation and capacity-expanding programs since the fall of the Soviet Union, with the military budget increasing from around $300 million in 2005 to $2.46 billion in 2009. As of 2021, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces had approximately 126,000 active personnel, with an additional 17,000 paramilitary troops and 330,000 reserve personnel. The Land Forces number around 85,000, the Air and Air Defence Force has about 8,000 personnel, and the Navy has roughly 2,200 personnel.

The Azerbaijani military has an extensive array of weaponry and equipment, including main battle tanks, armoured combat vehicles, artillery systems, aircraft, and helicopters. The country has also been developing its domestic defence industry, with the aim of producing tanks, armoured vehicles, military planes, and helicopters. Azerbaijan has signed numerous international agreements and participated in peacekeeping operations, including in Iraq, Kosovo, and Afghanistan.

The Azerbaijani military played a crucial role in the country's victory in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War in 2020, which resulted in the return of several regions to Azerbaijani control. However, the military has also faced criticism and allegations of human rights violations, including the use of indiscriminate force and mistreatment of prisoners.

Azerbaijan's history

Ancient Times to 19th Century:

The territory of present-day Azerbaijan was ruled by various empires, including Caucasian Albania and Persian empires. In the 9th century BC, it was inhabited by the Scythians, followed by the Iranian Medes who dominated the region. Over time, it became part of vast empires, such as the Achaemenid Empire and later, the Sasanian Empire. In the first half of the 7th century, it fell under nominal Muslim rule with the Muslim conquest of Persia.

19th Century:

The Russo-Persian Wars of the 19th century resulted in Persia ceding its Caucasian territories, including what is now Azerbaijan, to the Russian Empire. This marked a significant shift in the region's history.

20th Century:

The collapse of the Russian Empire after World War I presented an opportunity for Azerbaijan to gain independence. In 1918, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic proclaimed its independence, becoming the first secular democratic Muslim-majority state. However, this independence was short-lived as the country was incorporated into the Soviet Union in 1920 as the Azerbaijan SSR.

During the Soviet era, Azerbaijan played a crucial role in the energy sector, supplying a significant portion of the Soviet Union's oil during World War II. Despite being part of the Soviet Union, national sentiments persisted, and an Azerbaijani national identity emerged.

21st Century:

With the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Azerbaijan once again regained its independence, becoming the Republic of Azerbaijan. However, the early years of independence were marked by conflict with neighbouring Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. This conflict has been a recurring theme in Azerbaijan's recent history, with multiple outbreaks of hostilities, the most recent being in 2020 and 2023, resulting in Azerbaijan regaining control of the region.

In the post-Soviet era, Azerbaijan has struggled with the transition to a market economy and has faced criticism for its human rights record and corruption. However, it has also made significant strides, reducing poverty rates and investing in infrastructure development. The country has a presidential republic form of government, with Ilham Aliyev as the current president, continuing the Aliyev family's rule since 1993.

Throughout its history, Azerbaijan has been a cultural melting pot, with influences from Iranian, Turkic, and Caucasian elements. Its strategic location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia has shaped its development, and it boasts a rich heritage in music, dance, and literature.

Azerbaijan's culture

Language and Religion:

The official language of Azerbaijan is Azerbaijani, which belongs to the Turkic language family. While the majority of the population follows Shia Islam, the country is officially secular and guarantees religious freedom.

Hospitality:

Azerbaijan is known for its warm hospitality. Locals go out of their way to assist visitors, offering endless cups of tea, snacks, and assistance. This deep-rooted tradition is an integral part of Azerbaijani culture.

Tea Culture:

Tea holds a sacred place in Azerbaijani culture. The traditional way of drinking tea involves pouring it into a pear-shaped glass called an "armuda," serving it without milk, and biting into a sugar cube before sipping the tea—a tradition dating back to medieval times when rulers feared poison in their drinks.

Music and Dance:

Azerbaijani music and dance are expressive art forms perfected over millennia. The most defining feature of their music is "mugham," an improvisational style with alternating vocal and instrumental parts. Dances often accompany the music, with female dances being slower and more graceful, while male dances are faster and involve rapid leg movements.

Literature:

Azerbaijani literature has been preserved through oral and written traditions. It flourished during the Soviet era, and notable works include "Ali and Nino: A Love Story" and poems by the 12th-century poet Nizami Ganjavi.

Fine Arts and Architecture:

Azerbaijani fine arts include ancient petroglyphs, miniature paintings, and decorative columns. Their architecture showcases a blend of old and new, with medieval palaces and modern skyscrapers like the Flame Towers in Baku.

Applied Arts and Handicrafts:

Azerbaijani applied arts are renowned, especially their exquisite handwoven carpets, which have been a part of their culture for millennia. Other handicrafts include metal and copper works, ceramics, and jewellery.

Cuisine:

Azerbaijani cuisine features an abundance of seasonal vegetables, fresh herbs, and local meat. Saffron-infused rice plov is their signature dish, often served with black tea.

Sports:

Freestyle wrestling is considered the national sport, and the country has won several medals in Olympic wrestling events. Other popular sports include football, chess, and backgammon.

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