A country’s leap from the third to the first world is an ambitious undertaking. For some, it’s unbelievable, inconceivable, even unrealistic. Yet, overcoming the current situation requires bold thinking, an ambitious goal, a high bar, and the corresponding mindset. Otherwise—by halfway measures, procrastination, slowed actions, routine gradualism, and undue modesty for the moment—neither overcoming the crisis nor developing into a mobile, competitive, and future-oriented national state organization is possible. And if this transformation does not happen, remaining an “ordinary,” “ongoing,” or “one of many” countries is nothing but an unconscious (?) declaration of gradual disappearance.
Detailing a precise “roadmap” for such a leap is a separate stage’s task. Hopefully, that time will come soon. For now, I will highlight, from my subjective perspective, several key components that could enable this leap. I know I won’t reinvent the wheel here; in some cases, what I voice has been said and thought of multiple times by others. Nevertheless, I allow myself to share with readers, in my own version, the necessary conditions for Georgia’s leap from the third world to the first.
1. Be Secure
National security is fundamentally different from “peacefulness in the country.” While “peace” often means resignation and passivity (not to mention the use of “peace” in misguided propaganda)—genuine national security equates to a broad complex of active and continuous measures.
To be objective, it must be recognized that absolute security is unattainable in today’s world. Therefore, speaking of invulnerability is hypocrisy. However, the diversity of modern security models and the transformation of the very notion of security provide many interesting approaches and solutions. From varied system alliances and so-called compensatory security models (thematic, geographic, bilateral, etc.), to the broadest sense, a nation’s security is linked to active political-diplomatic, military, intelligence, and economic measures built on existing experience and connections.
There is substantial experience of such activity in our country. Therefore, before this experience shifts from “dormant” to “forgotten” status, reviving and updating it promises fundamentally new opportunities for us.
2. Be Economically Self-Sufficient
It’s hardly a revelation to say that without a “full pocket”—meaning a robust economy that satisfies national needs so we don’t look outward with a begging hand—the leap in question is entirely impossible.
Spelling out each specific area would go beyond this format, but I will mention what I see as some desirable system-forming aspects of a Georgian self-sufficient economic system:
(1) In a world of fierce competition, excessive egoism, and economic nationalism, compact Georgia must always express its voice and position to its own functional benefit. Being necessary and useful not just for itself, but for others too, is a critical prerequisite for both economic and general sovereign sustainability and existence.
Our country has past experience and practice to serve as a basis for this. Now, what is required is to reactivate that experience, transforming it to our reality, to search for new paths of functional utility, and thus strengthen the practical foundations for much-needed self-affirmation.
(2) A “culture of mobile thinking” (and a free political environment!), which manifests in practical scientific research, breakthrough-focused innovation, and development-oriented education.
In reality, from an innovation and research perspective, we must become a “start-up” nation, where talent for searching, research, and discovery directly serves the practical development needs of the country and is properly valued. Georgians today need to take a leap forward to not fall behind global civilization, not drift towards empire, and not find the state’s very existence in peril.
(3) Mobilizing the capital needed for the leap—making the most of both the domestic capital market and external resource channels.
Beyond traditional instruments and tools, the introduction of new financial technologies and support for fintech are powerful signals for a leap to the first world. Sticking with only time-worn, “tested” routes means Georgia risks being stuck forever among third (developing) world countries.
It’s important that the country, today (and still…), has the human capital, drive, and “energy” needed for such breakthroughs. Failing to use these threatens not only to quench this drive, but to ultimately lose our human capital.
Alongside other aspects, speaking of human capital, the most pressing current objective seems to be the intellectual security of the country. Without securing talented (and dignified!), development-focused (and free!) people in the country, the leap from the third to first world is utterly unrealistic.
(4) Integrating a “welfare state” into Georgia’s economic formation is—as I see it—not optional, but a purely practical task.
First of all, this is about realizing security in the broadest sense, which is impossible amidst severe disparities between “rich” and “poor,” especially without a safety net for the latter from the state. Such a situation makes the country vulnerable not only to external, but also internal threats, as nothing serves our ill-wishers more than poverty, injustice, or inequality.
Discussing injustice and inequality makes it crucial for the state to maintain the right “golden mean” balance between a market economy and a welfare economy.
Among other approaches, including such a “mean” would let people feel co-ownership and co-participation in public processes. Without this sentiment, the leap is impossible. The point is that the current societal fabric and its cohesion provides a good basis for a leap. This foundation must now be solidly reinforced by a sense of ownership of the country.
3. Be a Country of Good Governance
The word “good” was chosen deliberately, as it best and most succinctly captures the essence.
For the leap from third to first world, good governance, to me, means rule “for all,” not just “one group.”
Alongside well-known expectations of openness and accountability, a vital trait of good governance is its simplicity and directness—in other words, its human face, such that it doesn’t distinguish “them” from “us,” and makes them “one of us.”
Good governance is closely tied to normalizing the country, which, among other things, comes down to institutional management.
Two mutually reinforcing currents form the strong foundation of institutional management: policy-making “top-down” and “bottom-up.” Signs of the latter can already be seen; signs of the former are yet to appear.
For the desired leap, the following should become part of the country’s established style of governance: demystification, demythologization, depersonification, and desentimentalization.
4. Be “One Step Ahead”
This means taking the initiative on regional and global stages, and offering creative, solution-oriented strategies.
Our minds and thinking belong to us alone. Only our own laziness or despair can conquer them. In today’s world, multiplying limited material resources is only possible with intellectual resources.
This also connects to projecting Georgian “soft power” and, through it, achieving self-affirmation both in our own and others’ eyes. That’s the lot of every small nation: to constantly prove their right to exist, to equality, to prospects. This process does not tolerate fatigue but demands continual movement and striving beyond one’s limits.
The distinctive Georgian “thinking hub,” manifested in various initiatives, still serves the country’s leap to the first world.
5. Be Accepting and Understandable
In practice, this means working with different geopolitical, geo-economic centers, hubs, or regions without dividing the world into black and white. It is important to note that such cooperation must be grounded in respect for basic norms of international law.
Thus, an “open door” foreign policy, implemented with pragmatism and de-ideologized decisions, means that the confluence of interests and harmonization of rights and responsibilities between “us” and “them” become the key determinants.
Depending on the format, such cooperation could advance Georgia’s agenda in frameworks of strategic partnerships, tactical partnerships, situational partnerships, or just working contacts. The geographical limitations stemming from our location must be transformed into opportunities to the greatest extent possible.
6. Be Modern, Be Up-to-Date
This requires rethinking and redefining the connection between the state and the citizen at a fundamentally new level.
It’s about bringing the abstract concept of “the state” noticeably closer to the individual. The relationship between the state and citizens should be shown as a horizontal connection between equals. Highlighting the state’s function as a provider of services makes this possible, with the most important services being physical security, equal economic opportunities, and social equality among citizens.
This is not about “etatism”—an exaggerated view of the state’s role—but about the need for a well-organized, reliable national state to be a partner for citizens in this new world of disorder. This partnership means walking forward together, managing risks, and carrying out constant modernization to keep up with the times, so as to always be among the “first world” countries.
7. Be State-Corporate Minded
Some might be surprised by my putting these two concepts together. Yet, in light of global trends, it makes perfect sense, especially for us: blending state and corporate approaches gives the country a better shot at being more competitive, resilient, and adaptive to rapid changes.
Combined with the rethinking of the state’s role, shifting national-state organization to corporate foundations at a minimum helps Georgia exist, and at a maximum helps it to join the ranks of leading countries.
When discussing the transformation of the Georgian state, it is also crucial to note that moving from playing “statehood” to operational systems of decision-making and implementation forms the basis for citizens to better exercise their “shareholder” voice.
In Conclusion…
All that remains to be said is that everything outlined here—briefly (and hopefully clearly)—requires what? Yes—work. Now and in the future. Relentlessly and tirelessly. Otherwise, the leap from the third to the first world, and then maintaining a place among the first, will be impossible.
Analysis by Victor Kipiani, Geocase Chairman
