Europeanization versus Democratization in Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. Internal and External Challenges to Democratic Consolidation

The study examines the growing disconnect between europeanization and democratization in the EU’s neighboring countries, focusing on Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. It analyzes internal and external challenges to democratic consolidation and critically assesses the effectiveness of the EU’s normative power in the region. The author challenges Huntington’s “snowballing” theory, demonstrating that democratization in these countries does not follow a linear trajectory. Their situation is defined by the contrasting influence of the EU, which promotes democracy, and Russia, which upholds the status quo and encourages undemocratic practices. This challenges the expectation of a democratic spillover effect and supports a path-dependent neo-institutionalist approach. Additionally, the study confirms modernization theory and highlights the negative impact of geopolitical competition on democratization. Ultimately, the author argues that anchoring these three countries to the European integration track is crucial for enhancing their prospects for democratic consolidation.