BETWEEN TRADITION AND TRANSFORMATION:  THE IMPACT OF ILLIBERAL POPULISM ON GEORGIA’S DEMOCRATIC ASPIRATIONS Cover Image

BETWEEN TRADITION AND TRANSFORMATION: THE IMPACT OF ILLIBERAL POPULISM ON GEORGIA’S DEMOCRATIC ASPIRATIONS
BETWEEN TRADITION AND TRANSFORMATION: THE IMPACT OF ILLIBERAL POPULISM ON GEORGIA’S DEMOCRATIC ASPIRATIONS

Author(s): Giorgi Iakobishvili
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Politics, Political Theory, Political Sciences, Civil Society, Governance, Public Administration, Public Law, Government/Political systems, International relations/trade, Security and defense, Military policy, Welfare systems, Developing nations, Political behavior, Political economy, Political psychology, Politics and law, Politics and communication, Politics and society, History and theory of political science, Methodology and research technology, Comparative politics, Inter-Ethnic Relations, EU-Accession / EU-DEvelopment, Geopolitics, Politics of History/Memory, Politics and Identity, Corruption - Transparency - Anti-Corruption, Peace and Conflict Studies
Published by: Institute for Research and European Studies - Bitola
Keywords: Populism; Illiberalism; Euroscepticism; Georgian Politics; Foreign Policy Orientation; Russia

Summary/Abstract: The article examines the role of Georgian far-right illiberal populist groups in Georgian politics and their influence on Georgia’s foreign policy and the ongoing democratization process, emphasizing Euroscepticism, liberal institutional development, and the pro-Russian narrative. Using qualitative research methodology, we analyzed the programs, manifestos, and public speeches of well-known groups active in Georgian politics, such as People’s Power, Georgian March, Georgian Idea, Unity, Essence, Hope (ERI), and Alliance of Patriots of Georgia. Analysis of the mentioned material, as well as various scientific studies, shows that the discourse of these groups is dominated by xenophobic, nationalist, populist, and racist rhetoric, which represents a significant challenge to Georgia’s European integration path and in the direction of democratization of its governance system. In the long term, we concluded that the existence and development of these illiberal populist actors threaten Georgia’s aspirations for European integration and democratic development. This study contributes to a broader discourse about populism and illiberal views in the Georgian reality, focusing on the influence of these ideologies on the formation of the country’s foreign policy and orientation.

  • Issue Year: 10/2024
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 192-211
  • Page Count: 20
  • Language: English
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