Georgia's Geopolitical Fixation Masks a Deeper Crisis of Representation

[Celerity]

Excessive focus on external threats obscures fundamental flaws in Georgia’s political system.

https://www.socialeurope.eu/georgias-geopolitical-fixation-masks-a-deeper-crisis-of-representation



In nations shaped by unique historical paths, such as Georgia, political discourse often becomes disproportionately fixated on geopolitics. Domestic challenges are routinely reinterpreted through the lens of international relations and perceived external menaces. Within the post-Soviet cultural context, this tendency frequently manifests in a particularly unsubtle manner, serving as a tool for manipulation employed not only by governing parties but also by the broader elite.

While it is undeniable that global geopolitical transformations are underway, Georgia’s capacity to exert significant influence on these processes remains limited. Consequently, the excessive use of geopolitical forecasting for domestic political ends, especially when these processes are inherently unpredictable, ultimately proves futile. The critical factors in any geopolitical realignment are the internal organisation of power within a country and the legitimacy of those who represent the people both domestically and on the international stage.

Georgia’s Legitimacy Crisis

The ongoing developments in Georgia starkly illustrate a political system grappling with a profound crisis of legitimacy. A substantial segment of society rejects the established rules and decisions of governance, rendering effective rule exceedingly difficult. The alarmist assertion that Georgia stands at a critical juncture necessitating a return to “normal” politics is, in fact, misguided. The “normal” of the past was never truly sound. The imperative is not to regress, but to forge a new and improved order. Otherwise, a mere return to “yesterday” will inevitably lead back to the crises of today.

Since its independence, owing to a confluence of social and historical factors, Georgian political parties have not evolved into broad-based representative organisations of social groups or coalitions. Instead, they have largely developed as personalised entities centred on individual leaders. Consequently, traditional interest groups, which play a vital role in fostering democratisation, have failed to take root. This phenomenon cannot be solely attributed to a lack of political awareness or elite manipulation, although both are contributing factors. Rather, it stems from fundamental shifts in the social structure itself.

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