Determining Factors for the Foreign Policy of Georgian Political Parties (2016-2020)

Abstract

Determining foreign policy orientation is the most critical factor in determining a country's actions in foreign policy. Foreign policy orientation determines the country's strategic goals, tasks, and priorities. Accordingly, after Georgia gained independence, among many other problems, the determination of foreign policy orientation was on the agenda. This paper will therefore examine the specific factors that influence the process of prioritizing Georgia's foreign policy orientation as a "small country." Particular attention will be paid to the extent to which national security and economic factors are given priority in the choice of the foreign policy course. In order to achieve this goal, the document discusses the official position of the country according to the declared documents of the national level ("Concept of National Security," "Analysis of the Foreign Policy Strategy of Georgia"). At the same time, to deepen the topic, the positions of the Georgian party spectrum about the topic are presented based on the positions announced in the pre-election programs. The programs provide essential information regarding foreign policy and the party's views. Accordingly, by analyzing the pre-election programs, I could identify the main factors on which the parties I studied base their foreign policy orientation.The research uses a qualitative research method, namely the analysis of secondary sources and literature and the analysis of documents. Another method of qualitative research is the in-depth interview. As for the selection method, the paper uses a non-probability sample - a purposive or evaluative sample, according to which two parties were selected for the research: "Georgian Dream" and "United National Movement."At the same time, the paper presents the theoretical aspects of the topic and a brief overview of the existing literature in this direction. It should be taken into account that I have assigned Georgia to the concept of a "small country," as a small territory and population characterize Georgia and has to constantly struggle for self-preservation, which is the main characteristic of a "small country." I have analyzed this issue in this context. Accordingly, the issue will be discussed in the light of this concept. The analysis has shown how the "Georgian Dream" and the "National Movement" evaluate the given factors: national security, territorial integrity, economic factors, European and Euro-Atlantic integration, relations with Russia, energy security, and which of these factors are most important for each political entity in determining its foreign policy course.Realism is used as the primary research theory. According to the concept of realism, "small states" play a subordinate role in the political concept of power. Role in the political concept of power, therefore, small states' fate depends on powerful countries' political will. According to realism, the driving motive of states is self-preservation because they want to preserve their sovereignty, so they consider how to survive in the international system and act as rationally as possible, which is why they choose their allies carefully, considering various factors. Accordingly, the study of the above factors is critical. As an auxiliary theory, international political economy is used. It shares Adam Smith's theory of the universal benefits of the market, i.e., it sees free trade as a decisive factor of progress.The research results show that the parties I studied have different priorities in determining foreign policy orientation. According to the party spectrum, relations with Russia should be regulated based on national security and territorial integrity. However, the issue's complexity is that the country must rely on more than one factor in determining its foreign policy orientation. During the research process, it became apparent that the parties had different assessments.The above points show how important the study of the topic is for the scientific community. Moreover, this topic is constantly topical and is essential to the country's political agenda. At the same time, studying the facts that determine Georgia's foreign policy orientation is essential at the local level and for all international researchers who study this issue in a comparative context. Accordingly, the present work will help to enliven the discussion on this topic further and provide new information to interested groups.