THE PROBLEM OF POLITICAL POLARIZATION OF THE SOCIETY IN GEORGIA (FROM 2012 TO THE PRESENT DAY)

Abstract

Political polarization represents a significant and pressing issue from both domestic and international perspectives, hindering the development of a consolidated and stable democracy in the country. Therefore, it is crucial to perceive and analyze the roots of polarization through a multifaceted lens. The deeper the underlying problems are brought to light, the better they can be reconsidered, changed, corrected, or eliminated. The presented article examines the problem of political polarization in the Georgian society from 2012 to the present. The aim of the study is to thoroughly investigate the characteristics of polarization in Georgia and to identify the domestic political roots that intensify it. The research employs qualitative methods, specifically in-depth interviews with political experts, analysis of literature on the topic, and processing of secondary data. The thesis seeks to explain the origins of political polarization through the theoretical perspectives of Francis Fukuyama, Cas Mudde, and Stephen Jones. Within this framework, three hypotheses have been formulated: first – the problem of polarization in Georgia is largely determined by the imperial Soviet poli tical legacy; second – political polarization in Georgia is characterized not by the difference in specific ideologies but by the division of society into enemies and friends, which creates fertile ground for the development of populism; and third – the radicalization of the political spectrum is connected to the struggle for resources, which is a result of the Georgian political system. This thesis aims to confirm or refute these hypotheses. It is an attempt to contribute new insights and enrich the existing general knowledge regarding this issue.