The Intelligence from The Economist Talk to EU later: Georgia’s fiery protests
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Dec 3, 2024 
David Rennie, a Geopolitics editor, and Shailesh Chitnis, a Global business writer, discuss the explosive protests in Georgia triggered by the suspension of EU membership talks. Their conversation explores the grassroots movement, fueled by youth advocating for democratic reforms, amid fears of a Russian pivot. They also delve into the health risks of ultra-processed foods in modern diets and the evolving role of fatherhood in East Asia, highlighting a cultural shift towards shared parenting responsibilities.
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Georgian Protests
- Georgia experienced large, angry protests fueled by a halted EU accession process.
- Protesters like Anna Toklikishvili view this as a critical moment in choosing between Western ideals and authoritarian influence, similar to other post-Soviet states.
Post-Soviet Parallels
- The Georgian protests mirror a familiar pattern in post-Soviet states, where pro-Western movements clash with pro-Russian governments.
- Europe faces a dilemma: encouraging democracy or inadvertently pushing these nations closer to Russia.
Ultra-Processed Foods and Health
- Ultra-processed foods (UPFs), like chips and frozen dinners, are increasingly common in modern diets.
- While convenient and affordable, research suggests a link between UPFs and negative health outcomes.