Aleksandar Djokic - Struggle Against Creeping Authoritarianism and Russification has not been Won

<p>Last week, a law being pushed through the Georgian Parliament modelled

on Russian legislation designed to curtail freedom of speech and stifle

dissent was prevented through the pressure of public protest. The

so-called 'foreign agents' law would require some organisations to list

themselves as receiving funds from abroad, essentially flagging them as a

threat to the state and society. Russia should pay attention – public

protest can force change, if carried out on an appropriate scale and

pursued with vigour. But the struggle against creeping authoritarianism

and Russification has not been won, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and

Central Asia are all a focus of Moscow’s desire to influence and control

the political narrative in its near-abroad (ex-colonial space). But

what happens when power in Moscow centre weakens? When people no longer

fear the power and threat of Muscovy?

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Aleksandar Djokic has a PhD in political science from RUDN Moscow. He is

former assistant professor at RUDN Moscow, as well as being a Political

analyst. In his journalistic career he writes as a Columnist at

Bloomberg Adria and has also written for Novaya Gazeta Europe.

Aleksandar has also acted as an Election Observer at Transparency

International Serbia.

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Links:

https://twitter.com/polidemitolog

https://rs.bloombergadria.com/a/39/aleksandar-dokic-politikolog-i-naucni-istrazivac/

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