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Journal number 2 ∘ Mikhail Jibuti
Political-Economic Eclecticism in Georgia

doi.org/10.52340/eab.2024.16.02.01

ჟურნალი N 2. 2024

Decommunization in Georgia followed its restoration of independence in 1991. The dismantling of a monopolistic system centered around the single-party rule of the USSR Communist party and its Marxist-Leninist ideology was a pivotal development. This period marked the acceptance of ideological and political diversity, yet despite the emergence of numerous political parties, the one-party dominance persisted. The ruling parties always had constitutional majority in the Parliament, but despite their declared ideologies, transformation of the Soviet economy was implemented through right-wing principles.
Due to the complete lack of theoretical and practical expertise, politics and economy proved to be eclectic, and this eclecticism was further accentuated by the way in which the market economy interacted with the remnants of the Soviet system. The social structure that had existed during the Soviet era was shattered by the introduction of the market economy, and the system that guaranteed and regulated society and culture through the economy also broke down. Social and cultural domains were neglected because enhancing the economic condition was the primary objective. In addition to addressing the issue of physical survival, there has been a greater emphasis on liberal personal freedom and non-interference in one's private life. The trend was aided by the growing anti-global and anti-liberal sentiments as well as the custom of viewing every matter through the prism of national interest. Economic growth accelerated ownership and property differences, which exacerbated the moral crises. Prior to social and cultural adaptation, the nation's new economy had to adjust to its new, non-Soviet context. After noticing this trend, the political elite turned to conservatism.
The objectives of Georgia's foreign policy, which includes membership in the EU and NATO, among others, are territorial integrity, economic and social development, the welfare of citizens of Georgia, and the preservation of Georgia's sociocultural identity. Through the government, people accomplish their objectives. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the purpose of the government's fundamental changes: is it to maintain its power (an objective that all governments must pursue without question), and if so, how—by attaining national objectives or by any other means? Without a well-defined plan and an assessment system to recognize the situation and take appropriate action, no nation can accomplish its objectives. More goals can be accomplished with less stress if the nation or government behaves appropriately; efficiency and security principles are upheld. De-Sovietization and economic independence were necessary for Georgia to become economically viable following the fall of the Soviet Union and pave the path for the state's development. The transitional phase from the Soviet system to the market economy is characterized by a highly eclectic. We witness the coexistence of capitalism and Soviet socialism. It should be noted, nevertheless, that no theory of this time existed at the start of the process, nor could it during the course of its thirty years of existence, and it cannot. It will always be included in the course on economic history. As the mirrored alternative to the capitalistic system, the system was artificially and illogically formed, and as such, its regularities and cause-and-effect relationships have never been determined.
Stalin also modified Marxism into Stalinism, a system specific to the Soviet Union. Because the practices of the change era were so diverse and eclectic, they cannot be broadly generalized or understood in terms of existing philosophy of eclecticism. Similarly, no generalization theory for the People's Republic of China's practice has yet been established. Georgia's social-economic structure was founded on liberal and socialistic (also known as Soviet) ideas for thirty-three years. Therefore, it is quite likely that the ruling party's current shift towards conservatism is an attempt to hold onto power. Socialism and liberalism are essential components of Georgian political and economic life. Conservatism will have to battle for the change of the current unfinished system. These changes will be opposed by the social and liberal relations that currently exist in the system, and eclectism will only get stronger. Conservatism will modify the current liberal relationships that will lengthen the duration of transformation, escalating the degree of change, and incurring additional social costs. Conservatism will continue to exist as the area of politics and sentimental patriotism that permits various parties to establish their positions using illogical patriotic and religious justifications until the end of de-Sovietization. For conservatism to function in real life, the Constitution and laws, including those passed within the framework of EU association, must be altered. Reforms must be reversed. Ideally, after all of this is finished, and if the process doesn't turn into reactionism because of the high degree of eclecticism, conservative liberalism or liberal conservatism will emerge.

References:
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Key words: eclecticism, conservatism, de-Sovietization, single ideology system, reactionism, bipartite politics, reasons of eclecticism.
JEL Codes: F50, F55, F59, P16