DPC POLICY NOTE 15: Osvrt na napore prevencije i borbe protiv radikalizacije i nasilnog ekstremizma na Balkanu
DPC POLICY NOTE 15: Reflections on Efforts to Prevent and Counter Radicalization and Violent Extremism in the Balkans

Author(s): Valery Perry
Subject(s): Civil Society, Governance, Studies in violence and power
Published by: DPC Democratization Policy Council e.V.
Keywords: violent extremism; unrest in Bosnia;
Summary/Abstract: This essay considers the “new” efforts aimed at preventing and countering violent extremism and argues that they are quite often the same kind of actions taken to establish the basic elements of democratic, resilient societies. Efforts aimed at post-war democratic consolidation or European enlargement support - ranging from strengthening local communities, working with youth, improving education systems, strengthening the independence of the police and justice sector and more – are becoming more overtly securitized. While such efforts in support of democratic reform have been viewed as a laudable goal in their own right for two decades, now they are linked to terror prevention. After an introduction on efforts to prevent and counter violent extremism, specific nuances in the Balkan region are explored. Three sets of challenges that limit genuine reform in the region – identity politics, the state of civic values and civil politics, and pervasive broken governance systems – are examined as both byproducts and drivers of unresolved conflicts.

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