Territorial differentiation of public sentiment in modern Georgia (the experience of sociological survey)

Abstract

At the end of October 2020, parliamentary elections took place in Georgia. Another electoral cycle has started. What will it bring in terms of bilateral relations between Russia and Georgia? After the end of the election campaign, a sociological survey was conducted among residents of the neighboring state in order to clarify their attitude towards Russia, its potential impact on the election campaign, and possible ways of developing relations between the two states. Based on the results of the survey, the author finds out whether there is a territorial differentiation of public opinion on these issues. Is it possible to identify the "neighborhood effect" in relation to Russia? The research paper is an integral part of a large multi-year project, which studies the probable transformation of the electoral behavior of residents of the states bordering Russia. The author comes to the conclusion that despite the existing considerable political contradictions between the two states, there is a great potential for good neighborhood relations, expressed in the prevailing positive public opinion regarding the neighboring state. The regions of Georgia bordering Russia do not demonstrates any particular loyalty. It was possible to identify territorial differences in public opinion along the North-South line, which require additional research.