By Katherine Brady, Intern at Geocase
Introduction
Georgia stands at the strategic intersection between Eastern Europe and Central Asia within the South Caucasus region. The post-Soviet development of Georgia has been motivated by its pursuit of NATO and European Union membership. Georgia has functioned as a democratic leader throughout most of its contemporary history while some other surrounding nations have maintained autocratic rule. However, this vision has dimmed in recent years. The current democratic regression together with deteriorating diplomatic institutions reveals a nation which drifts between Western ambitions and regional authoritarian forces. This paper studies Georgia’s foreign policy development after Soviet collapse while demonstrating that domestic political disunity and deteriorated diplomatic capabilities have obstructed its path toward Europe.
Legacy of Soviet Diplomacy
The establishment of Georgian diplomacy occurred during the final years of Soviet Union rule. During that time period diplomats operated as controlled agents within a Moscow-centered system. The Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the 15 Republics functioned as ceremonial institutions rather than genuine negotiation forums. The Georgian diplomats from the late Soviet period received training that focused on performance rather than developing foreign policies based on national interests. The purpose of this diplomatic approach was to support Soviet doctrine while maintaining unity instead of promoting individual state sovereignty.
Soviet-era diplomatic practices established an institutional deficiency which persisted into the post-Soviet era. When Georgia gained its independence it needed to establish a brand-new foreign ministry due to its total lack of diplomatic capabilities. The foreign policy of Georgia in the 1990s remained unstable because it reacted to situations instead of using diplomatic expertise and financial means available to longer-established nations. The Soviet Union dissolution presented an opportunity for revitalization but revealed profound structural weaknesses in the South Caucasian nation.
Post-Soviet Transition and European Aspirations
During the 1990s Georgia experienced an extremely difficult time because of its economic problems and political instability together with its civil war. The newly established Georgian state established immediate alliances with Western nations. By the end of the decade, Georgian leaders had declared that NATO and EU membership were among their top strategic priorities. Embassies located throughout Europe and beyond received new diplomatic energy as a result. The foreign policy agenda stood out as one of the rare issues where all political parties in Georgia could find agreement thus reflecting the nation’s commitment to Euro-Atlantic engagement.
The 1990s experienced a fast growth in diplomatic capabilities among Georgian officials. Statecraft underwent a transformation through the repurposing of diplomatic skills by career diplomats who had previously worked in the Soviet system. The government sent ambassadors to important European capitals along with neighboring countries to establish regional cooperation and gain diplomatic recognition.
During the early 2000s Western integration experienced a renewed surge in support. New leadership implemented progressive reforms which included economic development alongside corruption reduction and Western value alignment. Georgia emerged as a prime example which showed that determined post-Soviet states could successfully change their direction toward the West.
The Current Geopolitical Dilemma
The strategic position of Georgia continues to limit the nation's expansion plans. Russian authorities work persistently to stop Georgia from joining Western institutions while seeking dominance in its surrounding regions. The South Caucasus maintained its status as a border area between rival influence zones throughout history. The Black Sea location of Georgia makes it an essential location in the geopolitical competition.
The regional cooperation between Georgia and its two South Caucasus neighbors Armenia and Azerbaijan has faced persistent challenges. Georgia operates in a divided political space because Armenia joins Eurasian institutions while Azerbaijan maintains energy diplomacy and stays neutral and Turkey supports NATO through strong ties. The country now faces an uncomplicated decision between returning to Russian influence or moving forward with Western integration despite increasing obstacles.
Democratic Drift Under the Current Government
During recent times Georgia has experienced an extreme deterioration of its internal political environment. The populist-nationalist party has taken control of power by removing both experienced diplomats and civil servants from their positions. The country suffered institutional weakness because of political purges which included dismissals and public denunciations. The Euro-Atlantic integration strategy of Georgia faces significant danger because of the recent dismissal of veteran diplomats who were key to its implementation.
The deterioration of democratic standards in the country manifests through electoral interference alongside decreasing civil liberties and heated anti-Western statements. The government now uses conspiracy theories to claim that European institutions operate as “deep state” entities while branding home-based critics as agents of foreign interference. The 2023 decision to suspend EU negotiations became the worst moment because it halted Georgia’s primary foreign policy initiative since gaining independence.
A lack of diplomatic direction has led to a power vacuum which affects international relations. The staff of the foreign ministry lacks both the necessary knowledge and self-governance to establish meaningful relations with Western diplomatic partners. The vibrant think tank sector of Georgia which supported government policy advice and international dialogue faces marginalization and faces an increasing threat to its existence.
Democracy, Populism, and Global Trends
Georgia’s backsliding is not unique. The two main threats facing democracy today stem from populism and militarism. Many countries now experience populist leaders who exploit public frustrations through basic problem explanations and factual manipulation and nationalistic rhetoric. Established democratic nations face the same danger as Brexit in the UK alongside rising anti-establishment parties throughout Europe and North America.
The world observes a widespread trend of populist governments that use democratic authority to dismantle fundamental democratic systems. These regimes fail to uphold truth or maintain transparency while they demonstrate no dedication to lasting stability. They achieve power through dividing the population and spreading conspiracy theories while utilizing state assets to maintain control instead of delivering public benefits. The populist wave in Georgia has destroyed the diplomatic and governmental structures that took many years to establish.
The external threat posed by authoritarian powers continues to pose an active danger. The combination of Ukraine invasion with hybrid warfare and strategic energy blackmail demonstrates the threats that militarized regimes present. Georgia faces identical challenges as other countries which must navigate between democratic goals and authoritarian domination.
A Nation at a Crossroads
Georgia stands at a crucial juncture. The Western integration progress Georgia made during the last thirty years faces an imminent risk of destruction because of domestic conflicts and international pressures. The future of Georgia in EU and NATO membership together with its democratic system faces jeopardy because of its democratic decline and institutional breakdown and weakened diplomatic functions.
Yet there is still hope. The post-Soviet development of Georgia shows that swift and significant reforms can occur. Moving forward requires the rebuilding of diplomatic institutions along with the strengthening of civil society and the re-establishment of democratic values. The course of Georgian democracy will be determined by the choices made by both its leaders and citizens throughout the upcoming years. The only way forward for Georgia depends on solidarity with democratic nations together with strategic clarity in foreign policy and renewed commitment to good governance.
The failure of decisive action from Georgia would establish it as a case study about how democratic progress can be destroyed by both authoritarian attraction and populist deterioration. It could restore its position as a democratic resilience example throughout the troubled region if the country succeeds.