Minorities Confront Ethno-Religious Nationalism in an Ethnic Democracy: the Case of Georgia

Abstract

This article examines the developments of ethno-religious nationalism in Georgia under the presidencies of Gamsakhurdia, Shevardnadze, and Saakashvili, with a focus on Muslim minorities. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Georgia faced numerous challenges, including ethnic conflicts, civil war, and economic unrest, which hindered the state- and nation-building efforts of the political elite. The ideological vacuum was filled by the Georgian Orthodox Church, which, in addition to its historical role in uniting Georgians, further strengthened the role of religion, resulting in the deep interweaving of ethnic and religious identities. Consequently, being ethnically Georgian and belonging to the Georgian Orthodox Church became prerequisites for being considered a "proper Georgian," overshadowing the civil understanding required by Western liberal democracies. Based on interviews conducted in Georgia in 2016 and 2017, the study argues that Georgia operated as an ethnic democracy, posing a significant obstacle to civic integration and inclusive nation-building. Furthermore, Islam, as a minority religion associated with past "invaders" and neighboring countries, faced security-driven policies, leading to discrimination against Muslim minorities such as Adjarians, Meskhetian/Ahıska Turks, Azeris/Borchalı Turks, and Kists, who do not align with the Georgian Orthodox Church.