Understanding the Balkan Democratization Processes – a Liberal Approach
Understanding the Balkan Democratization Processes – a Liberal Approach

Summary/Abstract: A region like the Balkans, with a history embedded with old and new conflicts; a region with an ethnical map assorted in the most complicated possible way – the political map of the Balkans has often been compared to the skin of the leopard – and last but not least, a region of late liberal traditions and industrialization, is making efforts to be organized for the first time throughout history upon a liberal democratic order. The future of the region in the peace and development perspective shall depend upon the triumph of such liberal democratic order. Of their own will but also under the pressure and with the assistance of outsiders – above all the EU and NATO – the Balkan countries have chosen democracy as the organizing ideology for the reconstruction of their states. It is argued that although difficult, the process of democratization is irreversible. Beyond that, an attempt is made to portray the challenges faced through the democratization process and how they are being overcome. The author also takes a critical view on the role of the international community, and in particular, that of the European Union.

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