Social drivers and barriers to democratisation

This paper examines various elements related to the structure of society and the public sphere in the countries of Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus, namely Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. In doing so, it explores key social drivers and barriers to democratisation. It identifies civil society as a crucial force in each country, though its nature, scope, challenges, and impact varies significantly across them. Other drivers and barriers also vary strongly and are shaped by country-specific contexts. On a regional level, the paper highlights polarisation and social division as well as migration, brain-drain and diasporas as common issues that all six countries face. Based on its findings, the paper makes several policy recommendations for the European Union and its institutions.