Core Or Periphery: Azerbaijan's Complex Geopolitical Identity

Azerbaijan is a transcontinental country located between Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It is a developing country with a population that is 97% Muslim, and ranks 91st on the Human Development Index. Azerbaijan has diplomatic relations with 182 countries and is a member of the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the Non-Aligned Movement, the OSCE, and the NATO PfP program. It is considered a semi-presidential republic with a government that has been described as authoritarian.

The world is divided into two major regions: the core and the periphery. Core countries are considered the most powerful and wealthiest countries in the world, with strong institutions, militaries, and global political alliances. They are usually recognized by their wide variety of resources and favorable locations. Periphery countries, on the other hand, are less developed, with weak institutions, and are dependent on core countries. They often have unstable governments, poor education and health systems, and lack access to technology.

Core countries include the United States, Canada, most of Western Europe, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. Periphery countries include Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sao Tome and Principe, the Syrian Arab Republic, and Trinidad and Tobago.

So, is Azerbaijan core or periphery? The answer is not so clear-cut. While Azerbaijan has strong diplomatic relations and is a member of many international organizations, it is still considered a developing country with a low ranking on the Human Development Index. Therefore, it could be argued that Azerbaijan falls somewhere between the core and periphery, or in the semi-periphery category.

Azerbaijan's economic development

Azerbaijan is a transcontinental country at the boundary of Eastern Europe and West Asia. It is a developing country and ranks 91st on the Human Development Index.

Historical Context

Azerbaijan's history is marked by various empires and colonial powers vying for control of the region. From the 9th century BC, the territory was ruled by the Persians, the Sasanians, Caucasian Albania, and various Turkic dynasties. In the 19th century, it became part of the Russian Empire, and later the Soviet Union, until it gained independence in 1991.

Economic Development

Azerbaijan has a diverse economy, with a strong focus on industry, particularly the energy sector. Here is a more detailed look at Azerbaijan's economic development:

• Oil and Gas: Azerbaijan has abundant natural resources, particularly oil and natural gas. The country has a long history in the oil industry, dating back to ancient times. Today, it is a major player in the global energy market, with the Shah Deniz gas field and the Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli oil field. The Southern Gas Corridor, a strategic energy project, connects Azerbaijan to Europe, reducing the latter's dependence on Russian gas.
• Agriculture: Azerbaijan has the largest agricultural basin in the region, with about 54.9% of its land dedicated to agriculture. The country has a diverse range of crops, including grain, potatoes, sugar beets, cotton, and tobacco. Livestock, dairy, and wine are also important agricultural products.
• Tourism: Azerbaijan has a growing tourism industry, recovering from the damage caused by the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in the 1990s. The country offers a mix of traditional and modern attractions, with Baku, the capital, being a major tourist hub.
• Transportation: Azerbaijan's convenient location on the Silk Road and other trade routes has made it an important transportation hub. The country has developed its transport infrastructure, including the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, which connects East and West.
• Science and Technology: Azerbaijan has been investing in the development of its telecoms sector and information technology. The country launched its first satellite, AzerSat 1, in 2013, marking its first step towards developing a space industry.
• International Trade and Investments: Azerbaijan has been actively seeking foreign investments and has attracted major international oil companies. The country is a member of the World Trade Organization and has free trade agreements with several countries.
• Challenges and Criticisms: Despite its economic development, Azerbaijan faces challenges such as corruption, income inequality, and human rights issues. The country has been criticized for its authoritarian political system, with allegations of electoral fraud and restrictions on civil liberties.

In summary, Azerbaijan has made significant strides in economic development, particularly in the energy sector, agriculture, and transportation. However, it continues to face challenges related to income inequality, corruption, and human rights, which may impact its path towards further economic growth and development.

Azerbaijan's political and colonial history

Colonial History

Azerbaijan's colonial history is closely tied to that of Iran, with the two nations sharing a similar history until the 19th century. The territory of what is now Azerbaijan was first ruled by Caucasian Albania, and later various Persian empires. The region retained its Iranian character even after the Arab conquest of Iran and the conversion of its inhabitants to Islam.

In the 19th century, the Russo-Persian Wars of 1804-1813 and 1826-1828 forced Qajar Iran to cede its Caucasian territories to the Russian Empire. This marked a shift in Azerbaijan's colonial rule, now falling under Russian control. The treaties of Gulistan in 1813 and Turkmenchay in 1828 defined the border between Czarist Russia and Qajar Iran, with the region north of the Aras River being Iranian until its occupation by Russia.

Political History

Pre-20th Century

Azerbaijan's early political history is marked by the influence of various empires, including the Medes, the Achaemenid Empire, and the Parthian Empire. The Caucasian Albanians, a regional dynasty, played a significant role in the region's history, with their language likely being a predecessor of the Udi language spoken by the Udi people today.

The migration of Oghuz Turkic tribes under the Seljuq dynasty brought a large number of Turkic inhabitants to the region, contributing to the development of the Azerbaijani language.

20th Century to Present

In the 20th century, Azerbaijan experienced a series of political shifts and conflicts. The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was established in 1918, marking the country's first period of independence. However, this was short-lived as Soviet forces invaded in 1920, leading to the establishment of the Azerbaijan SSR.

During the Soviet era, Heydar Aliyev rose to power, governing Soviet Azerbaijan from 1969 to 1982 as First Secretary of the Communist Party. Aliyev played a significant role in Azerbaijan's politics, later becoming President of the independent Republic of Azerbaijan from 1993 to 2003.

Azerbaijan regained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, but this was soon followed by the First Nagorno-Karabakh War, resulting in the creation of the self-declared Republic of Artsakh. The conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh has been a focal point in Azerbaijani politics since independence.

Heydar Aliyev's son, Ilham Aliyev, became president in 2003 and has maintained a tight grip on power, with allegations of authoritarianism, human rights abuses, and election fraud. Despite these criticisms, Azerbaijan has made strides in various sectors, including energy and infrastructure development.

Azerbaijan's relationship with core countries

Azerbaijan has diplomatic relations with 182 countries and holds membership in 38 international organizations, including the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the Non-Aligned Movement, the OSCE, and the NATO PfP program. It is one of the founding members of GUAM, the Commonwealth of Independent States, and the OPCW.

United States

The United States established diplomatic relations with Azerbaijan in 1992, following its independence from the Soviet Union. The two countries work together to promote European energy security, expand bilateral trade and investment, and combat terrorism and transnational threats. The US has long supported Azerbaijan's efforts to develop and export its energy resources to Western markets, with crude oil being the largest import from Azerbaijan. The US is committed to strengthening democracy and promoting economic diversification in Azerbaijan.

Turkey

Azerbaijan and Turkey share a "special relationship," with Turkey being one of the first countries to recognize Azerbaijan. Both countries are members of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue, Council of Europe, Economic Cooperation Organization, International Organization of Turkic Culture, OIC, TAKM, Organization of Turkic States, TURKPA, Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, and OSCE. Trade volume between the two countries was US$4.18 billion in 2019, and their relationship has been described as "one nation with two states" due to their shared culture and mutual intelligibility of languages.

European Union

Azerbaijan maintains good relations with the European Union within the framework of its Eastern European Neighbourhood Policy. It is a member of the Council of Europe and has expressed interest in eventually applying for EU membership.

Russia

Azerbaijan and Russia share a border and have historically had a complex relationship. The territory of modern-day Azerbaijan was part of Qajar Iran until the early 19th century when it was conquered by Russia. After the collapse of the Russian Empire, Azerbaijan gained independence as the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, which lasted from 1918 to 1920 before being incorporated into the Soviet Union. Today, Azerbaijan is a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States, a collection of former Soviet Republics.

United Kingdom

The UK was one of the first countries to recognize Azerbaijan's independence, and the two countries have since established diplomatic relations. The UK has an embassy in Baku, and Azerbaijan has an embassy in London.

Azerbaijan's relationship with these core countries involves economic cooperation, security alliances, and political recognition.

Azerbaijan's relationship with semi-periphery countries

Azerbaijan is a transcontinental country at the boundary of Eastern Europe and West Asia. It is a unitary semi-presidential republic with diplomatic relations with 182 countries and membership in 38 international organisations. It is also an observer state of the World Trade Organization.

Economic relations

Azerbaijan is a major exporter of minerals and agricultural goods. It has an above-average land mass, which typically means an increased market size and share. It has an improved economy, particularly with the exploitation of the Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli oil field and Shah Deniz gas field.

Azerbaijan has diplomatic relations with semi-periphery countries such as China, India, Brazil, Mexico, and Indonesia. It is also a member of the GUAM, the Commonwealth of Independent States, and the OPCW, which include semi-periphery countries like Ukraine and Georgia.

Political relations

Azerbaijan is a member of the Council of Europe and maintains good relations with the European Union. It is also an active member of international coalitions fighting international terrorism and has contributed peacekeeping forces to Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

Social relations

Azerbaijan is a secular Muslim-majority country with a diverse population, including Russians, Georgians, Armenians, and others. It has a rich cultural heritage, combining elements of East and West, and is known for its music, dance, and art.

Military relations

Azerbaijan is a member of NATO's Partnership for Peace program and has deployed peacekeeping forces to Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq. It has also been criticised for its human rights record, including increasing restrictions on civil liberties and press freedom.

In summary, Azerbaijan has a range of relations with semi-periphery countries, including economic, political, social, and military ties. These relationships are influenced by geographic proximity, shared regional interests, and membership in international organisations.

Azerbaijan's relationship with periphery countries

Azerbaijan is a transcontinental country at the boundary of Eastern Europe and West Asia. It is a part of the South Caucasus region and shares borders with Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, and Turkey.

The core countries are the industrialized capitalist or imperialist countries, which benefit from appropriating resources from peripheral countries and semi-peripheral countries. They are characterized by strong state institutions, a powerful military, and powerful global political alliances.

Azerbaijan is a developing country and ranks 91st on the Human Development Index. It has diplomatic relations with 182 countries and holds membership in 38 international organizations. It is an active member of NATO's Partnership for Peace program and has contributed to peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

Azerbaijan's relationship with the periphery countries is complex and multifaceted. As a developing country, it shares some similarities with periphery nations, particularly in terms of economic development and state capacity. However, Azerbaijan also has aspirations to integrate into European and Euro-Atlantic structures, which aligns with its desire to be associated with the core countries.

In terms of economic relations, Azerbaijan has pursued trade and investment opportunities with both core and periphery countries. Its energy resources, particularly oil and natural gas, have been a key focus of its economic engagement with other nations. The Southern Gas Corridor, which includes the Trans-Anatolian Gas Pipeline and the Trans Adriatic Pipeline, connects Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz gas field to Europe, reducing the continent's dependence on Russian gas. This project has involved collaboration with both core countries, such as Turkey, and periphery countries, including Georgia.

Azerbaijan has also sought to attract foreign investment and enhance its economic relations through initiatives like the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line, which connects the Caspian region with Turkey. This project involved cooperation between Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey, with the aim of improving transportation links and facilitating trade.

In the realm of political and security relations, Azerbaijan's engagement with periphery countries has been influenced by its strategic location and regional dynamics. The unresolved conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region has been a significant factor in shaping its foreign policy. Azerbaijan has also been an active participant in international coalitions against terrorism and has contributed to peacekeeping efforts, often in collaboration with core countries.

In summary, Azerbaijan's relationship with periphery countries is multifaceted and shaped by economic, geopolitical, and security considerations. While it shares some characteristics with periphery nations, its aspirations for development and integration with European structures complicate its position in the core-periphery dynamic.

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