Leo Shengelaia – A Voice for the National Idea

Abstract

It is widely acknowledged that the Georgian academic space suffers from a lack of research concerning the period of the Democratic Republic. A significant number of documents were either destroyed, lost, or deliberately suppressed by Soviet censorship. As a result, there is a dearth of material reflecting the activities of the political elite of the early 20^th century. The study of political figures not only honors the past but also contributes to the enrichment of the worldview and knowledge base of contemporary scholars.

This article, against the backdrop of party collaboration during the years 1918-1921, explores the national idea promoted by the Georgian Socialist-Revolutionaries (Essers) and presents a political portrait of Leo Shengelaia, the party’s leader and a prominent advocate of this idea. The present work is an interdisciplinary study based on primary sources and examines the activities of the Essers’ leader within the socio-political context of Georgia during these years, as well as the processes of state democratization.

The research is based on publications from ,,Labour”, the official press organ of the Georgian Socialist-Revolutionary Party. A comprehensive analysis of party press content has enabled not only an in-depth understanding of the specific individual’s activities but also an evaluation of state and public policy, leading to informed conclusions.

The period of 1918-1921 and the associated historical portraits should remain a strategic focus for scholarly analysis and evaluation in the fields of Georgian history, political science, and journalism. This era constitutes an integral component of the Georgian cultural sphere and holds significant ideological, worldview-related, and thematic relevance.