DEMOCRATIC BACKSLIDING IN GEORGIA AND THE ROLE OF THE RIVALRY BETWEEN THE GEORGIAN DREAM AND THE UNITED NATIONAL MOVEMENT
DEMOCRATIC BACKSLIDING IN GEORGIA AND THE ROLE OF THE RIVALRY BETWEEN THE GEORGIAN DREAM AND THE UNITED NATIONAL MOVEMENT
Author(s): Orcun CaliskanSubject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Politics, Political Theory, Political Sciences, Civil Society, Governance, Government/Political systems, Electoral systems, Developing nations, Political behavior, Politics and law, Politics and communication, Politics and religion, Politics and society, History and theory of political science, Methodology and research technology, Comparative politics, Inter-Ethnic Relations, Politics of History/Memory, Politics and Identity, Corruption - Transparency - Anti-Corruption
Published by: Institute for Research and European Studies - Bitola
Keywords: Georgia; Affective Polarization; Democratic Backsliding; Georgian Dream; United National Movement
Summary/Abstract: Over the past decade, the political system in Georgia was marked by a two-party system which was mainly attributed to the flawed electoral system. This led to the prevalence of the political arena being dominated by the ongoing competition between the Georgian Dream and the United National Movement and affective polarization. However, in recent years under the leadership of Georgian Dream, the progress of democracy in Georgia slowed down and there was a rise in authoritarian tactics used by the government to suppress opposition. This study employed qualitative research techniques over a range of primary and secondary sources to explore the role of democratic backsliding, freedom of media, and the incarceration of prominent political figures in the political polarization of Georgia. The study contended that the "winner takes all" mindset of the competing parties began to undermine Georgian democracy and its global reputation as the rivalry threatened Georgia’s progress toward European integration. The study concluded that the rivalry and the polarization had significant implications for the future of politics in Georgia and its relationship with Europe.
Journal: Journal of Liberty and International Affairs
- Issue Year: 9/2023
- Issue No: 2
- Page Range: 385-397
- Page Count: 13
- Language: English