Democracy and Political Transformation in Georgia (1991–2018)

Abstract

The current crisis in the countries of liberal democracy is not a crisis of the liberal democracy itself, but only a result of its un preparedness against the huge waves of migrants, refugees, anti-Western propaganda and disinformation, interference in democratic elections, terrorist and hacker attacks, and transnational organized crime that came from undemocratic countries and have struck it. It does not mean that the end of democracy and the triumph of authoritarianism have come. The terms “illiberal democracy”, “sovereign democracy” or “socialist democracy” are essentially forms of verbiage, they only cover up various forms of author it arianism or to talitarianism and, despite the statements of their political leaders, have nothing to do with the principles of democracy and the freedom of the individual. Despite the current crisis in the countries of liberal democracy and criticism of the European Union, Georgia stands firmly on the positions of European and Euro-Atlantic integration, setting as the ultimate goal the full entry into the European Union and NATO. From 1991 to 2018, Georgia made essential transformation from totalitarianism towards liberal democracy. However, in recent years, itisincrea singly approaching the oligarchic and kleptocratic way of government and moving away from democracy.