Show notes
How do authoritarian powers spread their influence beyond their borders? And why do some countries resist while others embrace it?In this episode of Talk Eastern Europe, Alexandra Karppi speaks with Sonja Schiffers, author of Authoritarian and Illiberal Influence: Russia and Turkey's Threats to Democracy in Wider Europe, about the mechanisms of foreign authoritarian influence in Georgia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.Drawing on more than a decade of research, Schiffers explains why Russia and Turkey have pursued different strategies to project influence, how domestic political elites facilitate or resist these efforts, and what this means for democratic institutions and civil society. The conversation explores the role of political networks, anti-Western narratives, restrictive legislation and transnational repression, while also questioning whether the EU and the United States have consistently supported democracy in the region.The discussion also examines how Georgia's political trajectory has changed under Georgian Dream, Russia's relationship with Milorad Dodik in Bosnia, and what years of fieldwork reveal about the often-hidden mechanisms of foreign influence.For our Patrons:Sonja stays on for an exclusive discussion about the rapidly deteriorating situation for civil society in Georgia, the restrictions facing German political foundations and the future of independent democratic organisations in the country.Support Talk Eastern Europe and access the bonusconversation: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope Timestamps00:00 Introduction: Russia, Turkey and authoritarian influence 01:29 The origins of the research 05:42 Comparing Russian and Turkish approaches 09:18 Why Georgia and Bosnia? 14:45 The role of domestic political elites 20:15 Georgian Dream and Russian influence 22: 02 Mechanisms of authoritarian influence 26:58 Final reflections on the bookExclusive Patron bonus - Georgia's rapidly deteriorating political environment