The Birth of a New Civil Society in Georgia

Abstract

The paper deals with the new realities that have recently emerged in Georgia. Georgia saw continuous protests in April and May 2024 against the Foreign Influence Bill tailored after Russian legislation which cracked down on independent news media, non-governmental organizations and activists critical of the Kremlin. There were a couple of clashes with riot police over the proposed bill. Tear gas, pepper spray and water cannons were used against the peaceful protesters.

During the political crisis in the country, we witnessed the emergence of a new Georgian civil society consisting mainly of the young generation. They were born in independent Georgia, not knowing the oppression of the totalitarian Soviet regime. They are completely free to have a different opinion than that offered by officials, marching together to defend democratic future of Georgia.

The protests in Georgia showed that the young generation not only loves their country and is free from prejudices, but also shows the signs of a democratic civil society of European type. Post-Soviet Georgian society lacked empathy, while the new generation showed overwhelming empathy and compassion for all memebers of civil society. They help those in need and provide aid and support to all, including members of the Riot Police.

Since the youth were not politically active and did not participate in elections in the past, the government did not take them seriously from a political point of view. Subsequent developments have shown that the things have changed and the young generation of Georgia has become a serious force that will never tolerate the government's disregard for civil society. In their form, a new Georgian civil society was born to pave the way to the further democratization of the country and the aspiration of the Georgian people to become a member of the EU.