The Dilemma of Good Governance Versus Power Grab in Georgia

This chapter deals with the problem of informal governance and the diffusion of “bad governance” practices in the context of regime transition and the change of political elites in Georgia. The general assumption is that the democratization process aims to solidify democratic gains and stabilize institutional performance regarding transparency and accountability (good governance). The reality in the post-Soviet region, however, often renders the opposite results, in which the new ruling political elite is content with the current lack of democratic practices, continues to take advantage of informal rule and reform masking, and does little to prevent the complete monopolization of power (state capture). Using the example of power transition in Georgia, where in 2012, the National Movement party led by President Saakashvili was defeated in parliamentary elections and had to hand over the power to the opposition conglomerate Georgian Dream, we take a closer look at the failed attempt to establish a tradition of democratic transition that, instead of cementing the mechanisms of good governance, resulted in societal polarization, the politicization of institutions and robust instances of state capture.