Publications

Political parties perform a variety of functions in democracies. Apart from participating in elections and fielding candidates, they work to develop policies, take part in governance, aggregate public interests, and ensure political socialization of voters. The institutional resilience of political parties helps them better perform these functions. The second edition of “The Political Landscape of Georgia” was written to support the study of the evolution of Georgian political parties and help in overcoming the problems that often accompany democratic transformation.

The spread of infectious disease (COVID 19) caused by the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has posed a significant challenge globally, including in Georgia. Every country has its own story of coronavirus and has its own role in defeating it – dependent on the capacity of its socio-economic and healthcare system. To tackle the pandemic, individual responsibility, either local or central government’s role is tremendous, and the world is united around the primary goal – end the COVID-19 pandemic.

This document provides a complex assessment of the mainstream opinions and approaches concerning the Tbilisi rail line through the lens of urban planning and city development. Relocating the passenger carrier railroad to the city bypass route is extremely unreasonable and will have significant long-term negative consequences either from the city development or strategic and operational perspectives. 

The government bears the responsibility to ensure that pandemic doesn’t completely undermine existing weak connections between citizens and the government, especially local government. The paper reviews the current challenges of citizen participation in local self-government and recommendations that include the introduction of various methods of e-government.

In 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic caused a severe healthcare crisis and brought a devastating impact on the economy. The world, including Georgia, started assessing the scale and scope of damage back in Spring 2020, but by the end of the year, the impact became more explicit and measurable, even on the regional level. Therefore, presented projections and recommendations are more grounded and realistic.

Authors: Nana Kobaidze, Levan Tsutskiridze, Maia Machavariani

EECMD Pre-election Activity Report 2020 

The publication “13 Myths About Stalin” has been commissioned by the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD). The aim of the publication is to refute myths about Stalin, which were created by the totalitarian state and which are still widespread in Georgia. The publication explores the sources, reasons, and causes of the longevity of the 13 most widespread myths about Stalin. Totalitarian regimes are constantly encased in myths and legends, some of which are formed during the existence of the regimes and serve to strengthen the system. Other parts of the myths are formed later, in a different social environment, as a result of public attitude or deliberately by the state or social institutions or at their commission. Many myths exist regarding Stalin’s biography. We have selected 13 the most popular and the most widespread myths about Stalin.

EECMD’s 2020 brief report, covering the organization’s key activities, main challenges, and the new work environment amid the COVID-19 Pandemic.