Georgian Dream’s Global War Party Conspiracy Theory Gains Traction Among Public

In the realm of political discourse, the emergence and dissemination of conspiracy theories have been a longstanding phenomenon. These theories revolve around the belief that a clandestine group of influential figures is covertly working towards malevolent goals. While democratic societies often view such conspiracies with skepticism and humor, authoritarian regimes tend to weaponize them as tools to suppress dissent internally and discredit foreign adversaries.

An example of this trend can be observed in the political narrative of the Georgian Dream party, particularly in the wake of Russia’s incursion into Ukraine. The party has introduced a unique conspiracy theory known as the Global War Party, which alleges the existence of a shadowy global entity manipulating Western governments, orchestrating conflicts, and exerting pressure on Georgian political figures. This theory, akin to the more widespread notion of the “Deep State,” has gained traction within the party’s discourse.

Despite the seemingly outlandish nature of the Global War Party theory, a significant portion of the Georgian population appears to have embraced it. A survey conducted by CRRC-Georgia revealed that approximately one-third of respondents believed in the reality of this shadow power. Moreover, a majority of those who subscribed to this theory viewed its influence on Georgia negatively, attributing it to various entities, including the opposition and non-governmental organizations.

The study also delved into the broader spectrum of conspiracy beliefs prevalent in Georgian society. It found that a substantial portion of the population adhered to various conspiracy theories, with anti-vaccine narratives being among the most prevalent. Furthermore, the research explored the endorsement of anti-Western narratives, particularly those propagated by the Georgian Dream party, which portrayed Western entities as existential threats to Georgia.

An analysis of the survey data revealed interesting correlations between belief in conspiracy theories, consumption of pro-government media, and alignment with the Georgian Dream party. Individuals who consumed content from pro-government channels were more likely to endorse anti-Western narratives and conspiracy theories compared to those who did not. This finding underscores the role of media consumption and political affiliation in shaping individuals’ beliefs and attitudes towards international relations.

In conclusion, the pervasiveness of conspiracy theories, such as the Global War Party narrative, and anti-Western sentiments among the Georgian public highlights the significant impact of such ideologies on public opinion and policymaking. These findings underscore the need for critical thinking and media literacy to counter the influence of conspiracy theories on societal attitudes and geopolitical dynamics.