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Adam Michnik: “Modern Georgian Elite Is Not Patient Enough”

November 17, 2010
Salome Achba

On November 11, famous Polish journalist and public figure Adam Michnik gave a lecture at Tbilisi Iv. Javakhishvili State University. He spoke about the experience of Poland in the establishment of active civil society. Other active members of the Polish civil society - Jacek Kozlowski, Jan Jakub Wygnanski and Wietek Chlebanowski - also made speeches during the lecture.

Adam Michnik discussed the main problems with regard to the democratization process; about the de-communization of post-Soviet states, the role media plays, as well as other interesting topics related to civil society development.

Adam Michnik thinks that the main problem with the development of democracy in post-Soviet republics is very common – they know and love freedom but do not have the tradition of democratic principles. “Democracy is freedom which is restricted by laws; freedom which is subordinate to the law. Our countries do not have the tradition of life based on the Rule of Law principles. So, we have no experience in living with democratic principles either. Post-Soviet Republics lack the Rule of Law and Justice most of all, that is the problem.”

According to the Michnik, the second main problem with the democratization process is the de-communization and lustration of the society. He shared his experience of Poland with the audience. “Our understanding about the history of our countries is very important. It deals with both de-communization and lustration. The debates on these issues were held for many years in Poland. Those, who got hold of the KGB archives, used them as a tool against their political opponents.”

Michnik said nationalism replaced communism in the post-Soviet countries. Russia took advantage of this situation and escalated conflicts by exploiting the radical nationalism in the post-Soviet Republics several times.

“However, we cannot blame only Russia for this. We should confess that in the countries where conflicts have escalated, there were many additional factors which led us into these conflicts,” added Michnik.

The audience asked the journalist – what is the most challenging issue Georgia faces as a developing democracy? Michnik answered that it is Russian-Georgian relations. “Nobody in Moscow [believes] that Georgia is an imperialist, powerful state which defeated Russia; but [that] does not mean that the government of Georgia did not make a mistake. Georgia has a long tradition of fighting for independence but does not have experience as a Rule of Law State. The modern Georgian political elite lack patience. I think the only chance for the post-Soviet states to become democratic is compromise. The relations between the states rely on the philosophy of compromises.”

He was also asked: “Is today’s television company “Imedi” the same one that Adam Michnik struggled with in 2007?” Michnik replied that he would be happy to see a more democratic team on Imedi TV.  “Of course, I would be happy to see [a more] democratic team on Imedi. I wish to see high-level journalists and publicists in the company. You know, I do not know the Georgian language and cannot watch the programs of Imedi TV. So, I will abstain from evaluations.”

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