Was Georgia Ever a Democracy? | Professor Julie George on Georgia’s Political Identity | EP. 56

Was Georgia Ever a Democracy? | Professor Julie George on Georgia’s Political Identity | EP. 56

Support Talk Georgia by subscribing on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/TalkGeorgia or donating at https://buymeacoffee.com/talkgeorgiaPLEASE 🔔 SUBSCRIBE ❤️ LIKE 💬 COMMENT 📣 SHAREGuest: Julie George — Political scientist, Professor at the City University of New York (CUNY) and Columbia University.01:04 Introducing the Guest. Why Georgia, what brought her to this country and what made it one of the central points of her studies.03:15. How Georgia’s political identity was transformed in the past 30 years. Shevardnadze, Saakashvili, Ivanishvili, who made the biggest impact on how Georgians understand themselves, their state, sovereignty, and place in Europe?09:22 Why does Georgian Dream’s fear-based messaging - around war, foreign agents, and cultural threats - resonate with some voters? Can it reshape public opinion, or is it simply a strategy to maintain power through fear?19:03 How does conflict proximity shape political identity? Does living near the occupation lines foster inclusion or exclusion? And how has Russia’s continued pressure reshaped Georgian identity?27:00 Is competitive authoritarianism in Georgia becoming full authoritarianism? Looking at the courts, parliament, civil society, media, and a weakened opposition, where does Georgia stand between flawed democracy and consolidated authoritarianism?31: 30 Did the Rose Revolution create today’s system? Could elite defections still trigger change, or has power become too centralized under Ivanishvili?

Was Georgia Ever a Democracy? | Professor Julie George on Georgia’s Political Identity | EP. 56

Support Talk Georgia by subscribing on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/TalkGeorgia or donating at https://buymeacoffee.com/talkgeorgia PLEASE 🔔 SUBSCRIBE ❤️ LIKE 💬 COMMENT 📣 SHARE Guest: Julie George — Political scientist, Professor at the City University of New York (CUNY) and Columbia University. 01:04 Introducing the Guest. Why Georgia, what brought her to this country and what made it one of the central points of her studies. 03:15. How Georgia’s political identity was transformed in the past 30 years. Shevardnadze, Saakashvili, Ivanishvili, who made the biggest impact on how Georgians understand themselves, their state, sovereignty, and place in Europe? 09:22 Why does Georgian Dream’s fear-based messaging - around war, foreign agents, and cultural threats - resonate with some voters? Can it reshape public opinion, or is it simply a strategy to maintain power through fear? 19:03 How does conflict proximity shape political identity? Does living near the occupation lines foster inclusion or exclusion? And how has Russia’s continued pressure reshaped Georgian identity? 27:00 Is competitive authoritarianism in Georgia becoming full authoritarianism? Looking at the courts, parliament, civil society, media, and a weakened opposition, where does Georgia stand between flawed democracy and consolidated authoritarianism? 31: 30 Did the Rose Revolution create today’s system? Could elite defections still trigger change, or has power become too centralized under Ivanishvili?

Parliament Brawl | Papuashvili: EU=Russia=Occupiers? | Healthcare Corruption Scandal & More TGQT52

Support Talk Georgia by subscribing on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/TalkGeorgia or donating at https://buymeacoffee.com/talkgeorgia PLEASE 🔔 SUBSCRIBE ❤️ LIKE 💬 COMMENT 📣 SHARE This is a special edition of Talk Georgia, which airs every Sunday at 22:00, where Giorgi Rukhadze and Nodar Kharshiladze answer audience questions about Georgian and regional politics. Top Questions of the week: GD has now equated Russia and the EU, claiming that Brussels, like Moscow, violates Georgia’s sovereignty. Have they hit rock bottom, or should we expect even more? Another major corruption scandal has erupted in Georgia’s healthcare sector. Around 25 people have been charged, including a former deputy health minister. What do we know about this case, and who is being targeted this time? Please send your questions for the next show to talkgeorgia1@gmail.com

Parliament Brawl | Papuashvili: EU=Russia=Occupiers? | Healthcare Corruption Scandal & More TGQT52

Support Talk Georgia by subscribing on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/TalkGeorgia or donating at https://buymeacoffee.com/talkgeorgia PLEASE 🔔 SUBSCRIBE ❤️ LIKE 💬 COMMENT 📣 SHARE This is a special edition of Talk Georgia, which airs every Sunday at 22:00, where Giorgi Rukhadze and Nodar Kharshiladze answer audience questions about Georgian and regional politics. Top Questions of the week: GD has now equated Russia and the EU, claiming that Brussels, like Moscow, violates Georgia’s sovereignty. Have they hit rock bottom, or should we expect even more? Another major corruption scandal has erupted in Georgia’s healthcare sector. Around 25 people have been charged, including a former deputy health minister. What do we know about this case, and who is being targeted this time? Please send your questions for the next show to talkgeorgia1@gmail.com

Talk Georgia Weekly News Update. June 27. 2026

Talk Georgia brings you weekly news updates on the key political and regional developments in Georgia. New episodes drop every Saturday at 22:00. Don’t miss out!