Influential power of synergy of human rights and European studies on Europeanization and Democratization

Abstract

The content and process (both the essence and form) of Democratization and Europeanization are critical for the transformation and reform of the state and nation aiming to bolster sovereignty while ensuring a balance between regulated freedom, the rule of law, the fight against corruption, the accountability and transparency of public structures, and stable institutions. This focus aligns also with the political dimensions of the EU’s Copenhagen criteria, as emphasized in the EU-Georgia Association Agreement and the progress evaluation documents of Georgia within the EU Enlargement Pack 2023 and 2024. Democratization is the policy for protecting human rights, traditionally included in Human Rights Studies. However, comprehending human rights in the post-Soviet context poses significant challenges, particularly in societies with restricted access to information or with broad aggressive disinformation. The innate freedoms that individuals are born with often remain unrec- ognized in such environments. Thus, it is pivotal and crucial to incorporate Human Rights Studies in all levels of education (schools, vocational level, HEIs). However, only theoretical teaching of Human Rights could not be effective if there is no cognitive and practical approach in the sense that Human Rights currently come from the European Union and learning of Human Rights should bring Georgia to the EU. Otherwise, Human Rights can be learned in Russian Federation as well. Thus, It is essential to combine and fix Human Rights Studies with European Studies. The necessity of mixing Human Rights and European Studies not only in practice but in strategic documents, laws and education-quality regulating standards and making this approach mandatory should become the policy issues of the Education of Georgia. The article uses descriptive, explanatory (interpretive), practice review and case-study methods.