Lecture by sociologist Tornike Chivadze “From Hope to Crisis: Georgia’s Unfinished Democratic Journey”

In the early 1990s, Georgia embarked on a path toward democracy, fueled by the belief that economic liberalization and Western integration would secure political freedom. However, decades later, democracy remains fragile, political parties fail to represent society, and economic inequalities undermine democratic participation. What went wrong? This lecture will trace the historical and sociological roots of Georgia’s democratic struggles, exploring how class structures, economic transformations, and political failures have shaped the country’s trajectory. We will also discuss the role of protest movements and alternative models of democratic engagement that may hold the key to Georgia’s future