**Conspiracy Theories Run Deep in Georgian Society**
For a long time, conspiracy theories have been part of human history. In democratic societies, they are often met with skepticism and irony. But in authoritarian societies, conspiracies become official truths used to suppress opposition and delegitimize foreign adversaries.
In Georgia, the ruling party, Georgian Dream, has made conspiracy theories a central part of their discourse. They claim that a group called the Global War Party is manipulating Western governments to start wars and conflicts worldwide. This theory sounds far-fetched, but it’s been taken seriously by some Georgians.
**What is the Global War Party?**
According to Georgian Dream officials, the Global War Party is a powerful network controlling state leaders and orchestrating global conflicts for profit. They claim this group is trying to drag Georgia into war and pursue a destructive agenda against the country.
But how many people actually believe in this theory? A survey conducted by CRRC-Georgia found that about one-third of the Georgian population believes the Global War Party exists. Among those who do, 72% think it has a significant influence on Georgia, with 77% viewing this influence negatively.
**Conspiracy Thinking is Widespread**
Research shows that conspiratorial thinking can make people more susceptible to adopting conspiracy beliefs. In Georgia, about one-third of the population subscribes to some form of conspiracy theory, with anti-vaccine conspiracies being the most prevalent.
The survey also examined several anti-Western narratives frequently propagated by Georgian Dream and found that:
* 20% of respondents believe the West intends to open a second front in Georgia
* 34% support the claim that the West forces LGBT propaganda on Georgia
* 31% agree that the West contradicts Georgian traditional values and religion
**Who is More Likely to Believe Anti-Western Narratives?**
The survey found that:
* Viewers of pro-government TV channels are more likely to believe anti-Western narratives
* Supporters of the Georgian Dream party are also more likely to hold these views
**Relationship between Conspiracy Beliefs and Anti-Western Narratives**
There is a strong positive relationship between conspiratorial thinking and receptiveness to anti-Western narratives. The more people score high on the Conspiracy Index, the more likely they are to support anti-Western narratives.
**Conclusion**
This research shows that conspiracy theories, including the Global War Party theory, are deeply ingrained in Georgian society. About one-third of the population endorses these views, which can shape public opinion and impact national policymaking. The findings suggest that general conspiratorial thinking is quite widespread in Georgia, making it challenging for policymakers to address anti-Western attitudes and promote pro-western geopolitical aspirations.