The Balkans In Focus

Discussing the complex weave of cultural links and the different religious and linguistic groups that have been living side by side in the Balkans for centuries, this anthropological study is the result of a project initiated to create a network of scholars from Scandinavia and the Yugoslav successor states devoted to the study of post-Yugoslav cultural and political developments. Nine papers on problems of cultural boundaries are presented with the idea of countering the picture of the Balkans as a huge borderland where irresolvable age-old ethnic and religious rivalries will inevitably cause conflict as informed by stereotypes and oversimplifications. Topics include the historical crossing of religious borderlines, the legitimizing efforts of elites to create national identities, struggles to declare "ownership" over the origins of a particular musical instrument, and similar topics.

Discussing the complex weave of cultural links and the different religious and linguistic groups that have been living side by side in the Balkans for centuries, this anthropological study is the result of a project initiated to create a network of scholars from Scandinavia and the Yugoslav successor states devoted to the study of post-Yugoslav cultural and political developments. Nine papers on problems of cultural boundaries are presented with the idea of countering the picture of the Balkans as a huge borderland where irresolvable age-old ethnic and religious rivalries will inevitably cause conflict as informed by stereotypes and oversimplifications. Topics include the historical crossing of religious borderlines, the legitimizing efforts of elites to create national identities, struggles to declare "ownership" over the origins of a particular musical instrument, and similar topics.

Discussing the complex weave of cultural links and the different religious and linguistic groups that have been living side by side in the Balkans for centuries, this anthropological study is the result of a project initiated to create a network of scholars from Scandinavia and the Yugoslav successor states devoted to the study of post-Yugoslav cultural and political developments. Nine papers on problems of cultural boundaries are presented with the idea of countering the picture of the Balkans as a huge borderland where irresolvable age-old ethnic and religious rivalries will inevitably cause conflict as informed by stereotypes and oversimplifications. Topics include the historical crossing of religious borderlines, the legitimizing efforts of elites to create national identities, struggles to declare "ownership" over the origins of a particular musical instrument, and similar topics.

Conflicts involve powerful experiences. The residue of these experiences is captured by the concept and language of emotion. Indiscriminate killing creates fear; targeted violence produces anger and a desire for vengeance; political status reversals spawn resentment; cultural prejudices sustain ethnic contempt. These emotions can become resources for political entrepreneurs. A broad range of Western interventions are based on a view of human nature as narrowly rational. Correspondingly, intervention policy generally aims to alter material incentives ('sticks and carrots') to influence behavior. In response, poorer and weaker actors who wish to block or change this Western implemented 'game' use emotions as resources. This book examines the strategic use of emotion in the conflicts and interventions occurring in the Western Balkans over a twenty-year period. The book concentrates on the conflicts among Albanian and Slavic populations (Kosovo, Montenegro, Macedonia, South Serbia), along with some comparisons to Bosnia.

Can the Balkans ever become a peaceful peninsula like that of Scandinavia? With enlightened backing, can it ever make common cause with the rest of Europe rather than being an arena of periodic conflicts, political misrule, and economic misery? In the last years of the twentieth century, Western states watched with alarm as a wave of conflicts swept over much of the Balkans. Ethno-nationalist disputes, often stoked by unprincipled leaders, plunged Yugoslavia into bloody warfare. Romania, Bulgaria and Albania struggled to find stability as they reeled from the collapse of the communist social system and even Greece became embroiled in the Yugoslav tragedy. This new book examines the politics and international relations of the Balkans during a decade of mounting external involvement in its affairs. Tom Gallagher asks what evidence there is that key lessons have been learned and applied as trans-Atlantic engagement with Balkan problems enters its second decade. This book identifies new problems: organized crime, demographic crises of different kinds, and the collapse of a strong employment base. This is an excellent contribution to our understanding of the area.

This book provides a detailed understanding of how different types of engagements impact upon the reform and EU integration of the Western Balkan region. It examines the influence of Russia, China, Turkey and the UAE in the region and analyses the range of existing links. Contributors offer an academic and multifaceted perspective of the role of external and non-Western actors in the region that goes beyond, on the one hand, the tendency of some Western decision makers to perceive all engagement by third powers as a sinister threat and, on the other, the view of regional governments of all external involvement as a boon coming at a time of Western neglect and reduced foreign investments. By looking at the importance of Russia, Turkey, China and the UAE in the Western Balkans, the book sheds light on one key arena of global competition, offers new insights on the strengths and weaknesses of Euro–Atlantic integration and advances our knowledge of foreign policy and its economic, social and security dimensions for small and medium-sized countries. It will be of interest to academics, postgraduate and research students, and think-tankers with research interest in IR and Southeast European Studies. European decision makers will also gain an insight into the extent of non-Western influence in the region.

This book explores the current state of society in Europe in general and the regimes and societies of the Western Balkans in particular. The pandemic and near-universal lockdown have provided an ideal cut-off date for the collection of indices from reputable academic sources that cover the nature of these regimes, individual human freedoms, economic freedoms, the rule of law, human rights and media freedoms. The aggregated findings from the 20 individual indices provide comprehensive data to support original findings and the characterisation of societies in 45 European states. Admittedly, there are differences in the methodologies and samples among the indices consulted. Nonetheless, taken together they offer a solid basis for developing arguments concerning the diversity of regimes, governance and societies in Europe and drawing well-founded conclusions on the nature of society in various parts of Europe. Though the book’s main focus is on the Western Balkans, the region is put in a pan-European context. The issues of migration, minorities, global geopolitics, the crisis of liberal democracy – they all play into developments that are specific to the Western Balkans. The book answers the question of whether the pandemic has allowed local regimes to strengthen their power and exert greater control over society, making it possible to formulate arguments regarding the future of Europe and its integrative processes. In closing, the book investigates Western Balkan regimes’ reactions to the pandemic in the context of governance, society and state power, before addressing the question of whether the future of the Western Balkans lies in the “liberal club”, or whether local hybrid regimes will become even more influential in the near future.

2020 could be a crucial year for the Western Balkans.For over twenty years, the region has been stuck in a never-ending transition. Politics, economics, and geopolitics are still falling prey to old and new sources of instability. With the path towards EU integration still uncertain, many governments in the region are marked by autocratic tendencies, and international actors strive for a bigger say in the region. NATO is expanding to the Balkans, but regional security still depends on foreign soft power and influence. And while recipes for economic transition focus mainly on foreign direct investments that often lack transparency, Balkan societies are losing their citizens to substantial emigration.What are the factors contributing to Western Balkans instability in the age of Covid-19? Will the region continue to be ground for renewed geopolitical competition? How can the Balkans leave the transition phase and find a sustainable, balanced path onwards?

Everyday Life in the Balkans gathers the work of leading scholars across disciplines to provide a broad overview of the countries of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, and Turkey. This region has long been characterized as a place of instability and political turmoil, from World War I, through the Yugoslav Wars, and even today as debate continues over issues such as the influx of refugees or the expansion of the European Union. However, the work gathered here moves beyond the images of war and post-socialist stagnation which dominate Western media coverage of the region to instead focus on the lived experiences of the people in these countries. Contributors consider a wide range of issues including family dynamics, gay rights, war memory, religion, cinema, fashion, and politics. Using clear language and engaging examples, Everyday Life in the Balkans provides the background context necessary for an enlightened conversation about the policies, economics, and culture of the region.