The Authoritarian Threat Is Real

Authoritarianism is on the march, worldwide. No one is immune, whether you live in Washington, D.C., or Tbilisi, Georgia.

Georgia’s ruling party—Georgian Dream, led by Bidzina Ivanishvili—recently proposed constitutional amendments alongside the announcement of their imminent adoption, seeking to prohibit all forms of advocacy for LGBTQ rights. From barring community gatherings to censoring the artistic expression of LGBTQ themes, the Georgian Dream intends to make life a nightmare for LGBTQ people in the country. Under the guise of genetic determinism, Georgia’s ruling government aims to afford preferential rights solely to heterosexual individuals, restricting the recognition of relationships akin to marriage involving LGBTQ Georgians.

Ivanishvili, an oligarch with strong ties to the Russian Federation, is institutionalizing the government’s animosity toward LGBTQ individuals within the Georgian constitution. In recent days, the Georgian Dream has ramped up its vilification of sex changes and other activities, under the guise of “family values.”

This is nothing new in Georgia. Last year, I was arrested in Tbilisi for protesting the government while holding a blank white paper. I can confidently attest to the cowardice of the authoritarian regime—it is afraid of a blank page.

To the West, I wish to convey the voice of a humble yet determined human rights advocate from a distant nation, deeply rooted in a profound love for freedom. I urge you to stand in solidarity with the youthful generation in Georgia as they courageously battle against authoritarianism in their quest for freedom. This is a generation that refuses to yield—a generation destined for victory. Our fight goes on.

What unfolds in Georgia today epitomizes a classic case of hybrid authoritarianism. With Russia’s help, Ivanishvili has held sway over Georgia for 12 years, effectively ruling the country as a one-party state. Despite initially rising to power under the banner of democracy, Ivanishvili managed to solidify his authority completely by the end of his third term. Under his leadership, Georgian institutions have been reduced to mere façades of democracy. The neutralization of an active civil society has become a priority in his quest for further power consolidation—a thirst that will never be quenched.

The Georgian government portrays calls for criminal justice reform as an encroachment on the country’s sovereignty. Meanwhile, amid Russia’s war in Ukraine, over 1.5 million Russian citizens reportedly entered Georgia in the first nine months of 2023, with more than 40,000 remaining in the country between 2022-2023. The number in early 2024 is unclear.

In its suppression of engaged citizens, Georgia’s hybrid authoritarianism mirrors the tried-and-tested illiberal tactics employed by Russia to our north. However, owing to the resilience of Georgian society, Ivanishvili’s authoritarian regime leans more toward the modified Hungarian model championed by Viktor Orbán rather than the traditional Russian approach (for now, at least). Perhaps the deviation stems from the recent close ties between the governments of Ivanishvili and Orbán. Unlike Vladimir Putin’s regime, which faces minimal public resistance, Georgian authoritarianism exhibits a particular degree of caution. One hallmark is its utilization of illiberal practices intertwined with a robust populist and pseudo-conservative ideology tailored to the Georgian context.

As the West grapples with its own populist and pseudo-conservative movements, including the rise of right-wing extremism in the United States, let my voice serve as a reminder to remain vigilant. There are parallels to Georgia’s struggle in America. The emergence of ultra-right ideologies under the guise of “conservatism” is being witnessed worldwide. Across Western societies, authoritarians employ populism in attempts to undermine democratic societies. By distorting conservatism, illiberal politicians seek to sway public sentiment and convert emotions into electoral support. It is more crucial than ever to recognize such actions, and that they bear no resemblance to genuine conservatism. Silencing speech is not “conservative.”

But there is still hope. In February and March 2023, Georgian authoritarianism dealt a significant blow to our civil society by approving a Russian-style law, requiring civil organizations that receive foreign funding to register as agents of foreign influence. Following Russia’s lead, the Georgian government sought to stifle its own civil sphere. But, faced with widespread resistance primarily from younger generations, the authorities ultimately retracted their support for the “Russian Law.”

Resistance to illiberal regimes transcends the struggle of any single state. It represents a collective endeavor shared by all progressive societies, and the younger generation plays an especially pivotal role.

Given the rise of authoritarianism, the unity of progressive generations across global societies becomes paramount. All nations must join forces in this struggle, as it is the struggle of our time. Sustained opposition to far-right populists within national borders can form a united frontline against authoritarianism everywhere.

The champions of liberal democracy can win this fight. We will win the fight, but only together. Today’s authoritarianism is too strong to fight alone.

Eduard Marikashvili is a Georgian human rights lawyer and chair of the Georgian Democracy Initiative.

The views expressed in this article are the writer’s own.