Political Systems in the Balkans

Specific Foundation / Core

The course is also offered to exchange programme students.

The student becomes acquainted with general issues related to Balkan political history from the early 19th century until the present within a comparative framework that takes into consideration general international political developments as well as Balkan particularities.

The modern Balkan states have faces many similar challenges since their foundation. They can consequently be viewed as a subsystem in international relations, and it is difficult to understand many aspects of Greek politics without taking into consideration the framework of the wider geographic region. The common traits are maybe more easily discernable in their early phase of development when they had common challenges related to the introduction of Western European models of government and irredentist foreign policies. During the interwar period Greece tried to consolidate its position, but was faced with the twin challenge of a revisionist Bulgaria and the difficulties related to the rise of authoritarian regimes in Europe. WWII marks another round of challenges to the territorial division of the Balkans that ultimately did not change the prewar status. With the advent of Communism the Balkans were divided within the Cold War framework. The bipolar regime was the overriding structure, but with variations because of the fluctuation in bilateral relations, first of all in the relationship with Turkey. After 1990 we encounter a new attempt to unite the Balkans as a periphery of the EU. In this new climate of cooperation it is important to be aware of the peculiarities of the area and their significance for further developments. Finally, the background and consequences of Yugoslavia’s demise will receive its due attention.

Balkans, nation building, international relations

18-10-2018