Gibt es eine „balkanische“ politische Kultur?
Is There Anything Like a „Balkan Political Culture”?

Summary/Abstract: The discussions on the „Balkans“ as a particular „historical unit“ often refer to a specific “Balkan political culture”, which – as a result of long historical and cultural traditions – is usually seen as a “deficit”, so far preventing the establishment of a stabile democratic order and civil society. The article describes elements of political culture in the Balkans since the 19th century and discusses their historical and cultural context. Using Detlef Pollack’s categories of “thick cultures” and “thin cultures”, the paper debates the question, if these elements of political culture are the result of historical and cultural longue durée-factors in Balkan history or if they should rather be seen in the particular context of “transition”, going beyond any regional and cultural specifics.

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