The Georgian Presidential Election Mikhile Kavashwili spoke at his swearing-in ceremony at the Georgian Parliament on December 29, 2024. Photo Credit: AP
With the morning of the 21st century, post -Soviet states experienced a wave of rebellion known as “color revolutions”. The movements were associated with specific colors and in the name of democratic reforms, there were large-scale peaceful oppositions with a western government to change Pro-Masco governments. Although he was non -violent, peaceful and democratic, Russian porters often considered him as Western -backed strategies to weaken the influence of Moscow.
The most notable examples include Georgia’s Rose Revolution (2003), Ukraine’s Orange Revolution (2004), and Kyrgyzstan’s Tulip Revolution (2005). These protests appeared on its face, peaceful and democratic. Nevertheless, these movements were actively assisted by organizations such as Western governments and organizations such as the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), which is formed during the Cold War to support and promote American social and political values.
Russian view
British strategist BH Lidel Heart’s concept of “fighting on the other side of the hill” has described such an approach that preferred instability and political sabotage over the conflict. Russia saw such movements as a threat to its impact in neighboring states and as a model that may inspire similar challenges within its boundaries. This perspective beyond pre-Soviet space, with Russia and other powers, including China, see these revolutions as a blueprint for low cost, high-effects intervention in areas like West Asia, Africa, Central Asia and South Asia, including China, China, including China. Had been.
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The fate of these ‘color revolutions’ was not dependent on the expectations that they were brought to-that is, changing these states, most of them with primary loyalty, in a corruption-free Western ally. Very soon changes that failed to reduce the situation on the ground. A set of corrupt people was replaced by another set of corrupt people due to their loyalty and political views in the West. People gradually became disappointed and public disillusionment was also born on unaffected expectations. The long -term failures of these patterns of infection have highlighted the boundaries of these externally operated democratic experiments.
Rose Revolution 2.0
The daily revolution of Georgia is an important example of this incident. The movement replaced the then President Eduard Sheverdnadze with a supporter Western President, Mikhile Savili. Initially celebrated as a victory for democratic values, it became clearly clear that the success of ‘Revolution’ was convenient by Western support, and the movement in the West, especially the United States, United States Financial and logical support was given in. Soon after the election, the Sakshwili rule became synonymous with corruption, dictatorialism and undemocratic practices, making the character of the movement more deadly.
Two decades later, a similar scenario is coming out in Georgia. Recent parliamentary and presidential elections have won a decisive and clear victory with the ruling Georgian Dream Party with passion. One of the results of these elections was the change of guards in the President’s Office. Georgian Dream Party candidate, a former footballer, Mikhile Kavelashili, was elected President.
Former President, Salom Zorabichwili, who initially refused to vacate the office and the President’s Mahal in favor of the Congress, called himself a ‘valid president’. He also alleged that parliamentary and presidential elections were married by electoral misconduct and corruption, and therefore ‘illegitimate’. Ms. Zirabichhwili was sympathetic to protests against the ‘illegitimate’ elections and joined the road.
The ruling party alleged that these protests were funded by them at the behest of the West through non-governmental organizations-Joers prove their controversy about external intervention in internal affairs of Georgia. This is not without example. The post-Soviet location has been a battleground for long-term geopolitical agendas, with a challenging Moscow-based governance of western-supported ‘movements’.
The situation is a relative downgrade that Russia held before its war with Ukraine, at least in short term. Russia focuses more on its ties with ‘near abroad’, but this story is often judged by reducing Russia’s permanent flexibility as a significant power in later Soviet space.
Protests in Georgia have also come up with a period of global anxiety on the role that the US can play, now the US President with Donald Trump. In internal challenges, Washington’s ability to be decisively engaged in Georgia is limited. As a result, the effectiveness of soft power strategies, as promoting democracy through color revolutions, is wandering.
Importance of Georgia
Georgia’s strategic position at the intersection of Europe and Asia makes it a focal point for major power conflicts. Its geography and historical weaknesses have left it susceptible to external influences, keeping it in a position in the form of a pawn in broad geo -political competitions. Georgian politics reflects the challenges of balanced domestic rule with external pressures in a fast complex world. As the US struggles with its low global impact and Russia claims its role as a regional power, Georgia is cleverly managing its relationship with both east and the West.
The widespread implications of this struggle are spread beyond Georgia, shaping other Soviet Union’s political traditions that are trapped in the crossfire of competitive geophysical agenda. Whether the color revolution model remains a viable tool for political changes or is faded in history as a remnant of early 21st centuries in history, will depend on the developed dynamics of international relations, navigate states navigating these turbulent times Test the flexibility of.
Amitabh Singh teaches at the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Vivek Pandey is a PhD candidate at the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
Published – February 18, 2025 12:08 am IST