What is the nature of influence in Georgia and to are social movement organisations able to develop alternative networks of influence

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As Georgia balances on the knife-edge between regression into the Russian fold and progress toward the Euro-Atlantic fold, this research explores the nature of influence in Georgia. In particular, it questions the extent to which social movement organisations are able to develop alternative networks of influence in Georgia's hybrid democracy. The research suggests that influence in Georgia flows through fluid and dynamic structures: cooperating and competing networks of influence. Dominant networks of influence are elite-driven, sustaining the status quo. In the push-back against these dominant networks, this research investigates the emergence of value-driven alternative networks of influence, grounded in civil society. The thesis lies at the intersection of three fields of enquiry: Strategic Communications, influence, and networks. Strategic Communications is a form of influence operating on a spectrum ranging from persuasion to coercion. It is centred on the stabilisation of long-term discourses based on the articulation of values within dynamic, contested environments. Social movements meet Strategic Communications at the point of discourse dissemination,distribution, and stabilisation. Drawing a theoretical linefrom social movement theory, through network theory, towards emerging Strategic Communications theory, thisresearch produces a model of how social movementorganisations develop alternative networks of influence ina contested environment.