Polarization of civil society in the Republic of Moldova between East and West in shaping perceptions and loyalties

Dolghi, Dorin and Mărcuț, Mirela and Polgár, István József (2025) Polarization of civil society in the Republic of Moldova between East and West in shaping perceptions and loyalties. CIVIL SZEMLE, 22 (1). pp. 71-88. ISSN 1786-3341

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Abstract

The present research aims to provide the theoretical and methodological framework able to contribute to a better understanding of the polarization phenomenon in Republic of Moldova (RM) and the role of civil society within these processes. At the momentum of gaining its independence, RM was inexperienced in terms of self-governance, having in mind the inherited legacy and influence for almost two centuries of former Russian Empire and Soviet Union. These influences led to a heterogeneous society which had to assume and adapt within a new geopolitical context, where the main challenge was to strengthen and confirm its statehood so they can clearly choose, define and follow a coherent path in their geopolitical orientation. Although independent and sovereign, RM has found itself caught within two contradictory geopolitical vectors of development: toward the West (the path of European integration) and toward East (within the gravity of Moscow’s interests and toward the Russian led project Eurasian integration). These opposing vectors engaged and used political, economic, social, cultural and psychological resources, which led to polarization of RM. From state structures and societal actors, up to individuals, they were all caught in these dynamics, which were easier to be observed within the electoral processes and the alternation in power, public opinion pools, sociological and political analysis. In this context, as a distinct category of actorness, the developments of civil society has been engaged, in various forms, to participateand to be affected and/or to affect, within the general phenomenon of polarization. This observation generates the main hypothesis of our research: the polarization of civil society can be analyzed by identifying the factors on how each entity belonging to civil society is positioning itself, directly or indirectly, more or less explicit, based on the discursive actions which can be associated with particular interests related to one of the two polarizing vectors. As variables to follow we will use the perception of civilizational positioning (core values of East or West), the issue of identity (national, ethnic, linguistic and religious) and how these are engaged within public agenda of securitization/desecuritization of loyalties and support for each vector.

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