Dimitri Gvindadze was the Deputy Finance Minister and the Finance Minister of Georgia in 2005-2012.

Explains the main principles, factors and circumstances which shaped Georgia's national governance and state building in 2004-2012

Provides a thought framework for reforming countries and modernizing economies, including post-Soviet economies

Discusses paths of Georgia's economic convergence with high income countries and multiple factors influencing such economic convergence

Chapter 1: Reforms, state building and the legacy.- Chapter 2: The Soviet Union - the twilight.- Chapter 3: 1991-2003: early Post-Soviet Transition and the Revolution of Roses.- Chapter 4: Georgia's J-curve. How to rebound?.- Chapter 5: Russia.- Chapter 6: Public leadership.- Chapter 7: The Ten Commandments of State-Building.- Chapter 8: National governance.- Chapter 9: Size and effectiveness of a government.- Chapter 10: Structure of a public expenditure.- Chapter 11: Market-based approach in agriculture and healthcare.- Chapter 12: Pensions and public sector salaries.- Chapter 13: Public debt, capital markets and international assistance.- Chapter 14: Wealth generation, taxes, customs, trade and logistics.- Chapter 15: De-regulation, privatization, public services and competition.- Chapter 16: Banking.- Chapter 17: Territorial development and urbanization.- Chapter 18: Dollarization - a thought framework.- Chapter 19. Parliamentary elections in 2012.- Chapter 20. The marginof error.