Modeling the Academic–Political Nexus: A Time Series Perspective from Georgia

In this study a multiple regression model is presented analyzing the impact of academic space on democratic quality in Georgia. The Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) database is used. Some of the indices this study is based on are the constitutional protection of academic freedom, the freedom to research and teach, the freedom of academic exchange and dissemination and institutional autonomy. The main hypothesis of this study is that due to political reformations after the collapse of Soviet Union, major changes have been achieved in Georgian socie-ty and its political system, a fact that has created new challenges for the future. It seems that there are drawbacks in the liberalization process in Georgia, a fact that denotes the implementation of reforms directed towards foster-ing political, academic, and social openness within the country.