New Balkan Politics » No.15 - 2014

INTRODUCTION


Special issue of NEW BALKAN POLITICS

“The crises of the social-democracy in Macedonia”

 

            This special issue of New Balkan Politics is dedicated to the social democracy in Macedonia. After three defeats in a row of the Social Democratic Alliance of Macedonia (SDSM) at the parliamentary elections in 2006, 2008, 2011, as well as after the catastrophic results at the local elections in 2013, the inevitable question that arises is: Why? Do the social democratic ideas about social justice, equality, solidarity and belief in democratic principles lose their attraction in a country in which every third person is unemployed and poor, and the division along social lines is becoming more dramatic? Or should we search for the reasons for the defeat in the Social Democratic Alliance, its historical legacy, its practical policies, organization and leadership?

            In this special issue of New Balkan Politics I have invited prominent members of the Social Democratic Alliance in Macedonia, independent intellectuals and experts to respond to the question asked. These are: Dane Taleski, Aleksandar Spasov, Martin Pechijareski, Lidija Hristova, Aneta Cekik and Dimitar Stojanovski. As editor of this issue, I also participate with my article. I hope that this is just the beginning of a good broader academic debate about the political parties and their role in society.

 

Prof. Mirjana Maleska

Editor-in-Chief

Lidija Petkovska - Hristova
Institute for sociological, political and juridical research
Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje
Aneta Cekik
Institutre for sociological political and juridical research
Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje

Discrimination in Macedonia’s multi-ethnic society: perceptions of inequality among the student population