This Case Study is part of The Global State of Democracy 2023 Report. 

Independent civil society and critical media have been lifelines in Georgia’s troubled democracy.

This case study illustrates the power of informal and formal countervailing institutions (CIs) as well as the ways in which they can be mobilized, depending on the domestic and geopolitical context.

Georgia’s democracy watchdogs drew important lessons: remain vigilant, don’t take anything—even long-won basic freedoms—as permanently granted, and continue to forge close connections with citizens.