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1. Political Culture in Southeast Europe. Navigating between Democratic and Authoritarian Beliefs and Practices

Author:
Vedran Dzihic, Gazela Pudar Drasko, Damir Kapidzic, Dario Cepo, Jelena Dzankic, and Jelena Vasiljevic
Publication Date:
03-2019
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Austrian Institute for International Affairs (OIIP)
Abstract:
The failure of the countries in Southeast Europe in the last three decades to initiate deep political and societal change that would lead them towards the goal of liberal democracy cannot be explained only by the reference to wars and internal conflicts or by external factors related to their peripheral position in Europe. We argue that political culture has to be taken into consideration to help explain the phenomenon of defective or phony democracy in the Western Balkans. A more forceful expression of emancipatory values by youth, along with greater action capabilities provided by economic growth, could create a more democratic political culture and leaders that are more accountable within a generation. However, it is necessary to have knowledge and understand what we want to influence, because simply supporting ›democracy‹ can go hand in hand with support for authoritarian values. It has to be accepted and fully realized that political conditions and practices are not part of the inherited cultural repertoire, but are shaped by highly complex and intertwined structural and socio-economic processes. Then we will be able to respond with adequate (political and structural) propositions and solutions that might »expand popular capacities« (in the words of Stuart Hall) and bring about the desired change in Southeast Europe.
Topic:
Authoritarianism, Democracy, Leadership, and Political Culture
Political Geography:
Europe and Southeast Europe

2. Vĕra Stojarová and Peter Emerson (eds.), Party Politics in the Western Balkans (London and New York: Routledge, 2010).

Author:
Jelena Dzankic
Publication Date:
02-2011
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Central European University Political Science Journal
Institution:
Central European University
Abstract:
Party Politics in the Western Balkans, edited by Vĕra Stojarová and Peter Emerson is a much-needed publication in the study of the political parties in the region. Although the Balkans area has attracted immense academic interest due to two turbulent decades, the examination of the political parties in the Western Balkans is limited to a handful of sources.Consequently, by overcoming the possible biases of the local literature and the vagueness of the more general analyses, Party Politics in the Western Balkans lays the basic pillar for the development of further and more detailed studies on the structure of political cooperation and competition in the region. The book does not offer an advanced conceptual framework for the development of analytical models of party politics in the transitional countries. Rather, after describing the political parties, it attempts to 'analyse the different outcomes of similar situations on the level of inter-ethnic or inter-party cooperation and competition' (p.3) in each of the countries in the region.
Political Geography:
New York and London