"We Have Been Hacked" - on the Use and Abuse of Anti-colonial Rhetoric in Georgia and Elsewhere

Abstract

The reintroduction of Georgia's 'Russian Law', which mandates that organizations receiving substantial foreign funding must register, has ignited widespread protests and highlighted deep societal divisions. This law not only stifles democratic processes but also appropriates "anti-colonial" rhetoric to consolidate power, significantly undermining the fabric of civil society. This analysis situates Georgia’s current political crisis within global dynamics, demonstrating how the political manoeuvres of the ruling party mirror broader global trends of authoritarian regimes hacking and instrumentalizing "decolonial" and "anti-imperial" rhetoric to legitimize repressive policies. This study discusses these parallels, revealing the profound impact on various societal groups while reshaping the political discourse.