This book examines the European Union's approach to managing diversity, framing it as a complex polity rather than a unique case of international cooperation. It argues that understanding the EU's efforts to balance diversity and unity through state policy offers valuable insights for other polities facing similar challenges.
The contributions in this book explore ruptures and continuities of the countries in Central, eastern and Southeastern Europe through focusing on academic migration, the impact of the nation state on academia, as well as the Communist legacies and challenges of transition.
This concise introduction offers an overview of the global rise and spread of nationalism since the late 18th century. Reflecting on key themes and existing scholarship it presents case studies and primary sources to track the emergence of the modern nation, and understand how nationalism has given rise to phenomena such as identity-based conflict, authoritarian politics and populist movements.Debating Nationalism uses an inclusive perspective that goes beyond a Western European focus to explore how nationalism has expressed itself in nation states and influenced a range of political ideologies over the last 300 years. It engages with the key debates within nationalism studies such as the origins of nations, the mechanisms and actors that reinforce it and the dynamics of ethnic conflict. Using a historical lens to shed light on contemporary issues, it also considers debates around migration, diversity and authoritarian politics found in new nationalism in the modern day. This book includes a dedicated chapter as a guide to key debates and further reading alongside a glossary of terms to help students achieve a holistic understanding of the history of nationalism.
Now that the third Yugoslavia has ended and the new union of Serbia and Montenegro emerged, Montenegro still remains largely unknown. The path of this smallest republic of former Yugoslavia has differed from the rest of the country during the past decade. Montenegro emerged as the only republic not to be engulfed in armed conflict. At the same time, it remained together with Serbia part of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and will continue to form a loose union with Serbia for the coming three years. This book seeks to close an important gap in the literature on the former Yugoslavia. As the first overview over political, historical, and economic developments in Montenegro during the past decade in English, it seeks to offer a nuanced assessment of the difficulties encountered by Montenegro during the violent disintegration of Yugoslavia. The articles cover all major aspects for understanding contemporary Montenegro; from its historical origins and the identity of Montenegrin to political, economic developments and an overview of minority-majority relations. In addition, the book surveys the dispute over Montenegrin independence and the Belgrade agreement of March 2002. The book is not only of interest for those seeking to understand contemporary Montenegro, but also for scholars and students interested in the dissolution of Yugoslavia and the conflicts and post-war transition the former Yugoslav space engages in.
The book delves into the stagnation of democracy in the Western Balkans over the past decade, highlighting the rise of authoritarianism that reflects broader global trends. It examines key mechanisms of authoritarian rule, particularly in Serbia, Montenegro, and Macedonia, such as the orchestration of constant crises and state capture. These regimes maintain a facade of democracy while employing social polarization to cling to power, complicating the region's aspirations for European Union membership amidst a backdrop of informal authoritarianism.