Abstract

The author researches Georgia’s drive for EU membership, critically evaluating common assumptions about economic gains, regulatory impacts on agriculture and industry, democratic norms, and visa liberalisation. Using historical and comparative examples, they analyse trade competitiveness, loss of local variety through harmonised standards, governance and technological shortcomings within the EU, and geopolitical choices facing small states. The paper argues that membership risks cultural and economic homogenisation and brain drain, and instead advocates strengthening national institutions, local ownership and distributive policies to secure sustainable development and sovereignty.