Lessons learned: Balkans and Macedonia, ten years later
Ten years ago, the nations of the Balkans were taken by another political spasm and, incapable of finding the new formula for their survival, reached for historically tested methods of ethnic divisions and wars. The centripetal forces that grasped the Yugoslav Federation, drawing their strength from democracy and the wish for independence, but also from fear, ethnic intolerance and struggle for territories, split the Federation and then penetrated the republics that, in the meantime, became sovereign states. Moving from north to south, these powerful currents that ventured to split societies along ethnic lines are now in Kosovo, their starting point. Thus, in the last ten years, the history of the Balkan nations has experienced another of its bloody repetitions. Ironically, this took place at a time when it was believed that the road to a united and democratic Europe was finally open. The road is open, but the heavy historical burden on the nations in the Balkans produces many dilemmas as to the character of the encounter between the two Europes, the Eastern and the Western.
Rockin' the State: Malthus, Mayhem, and the Myth of Yugoslavia
An historical Model of International Relations and Political Development By Myron WEINER (Center for International Studies, M.I.T, Boston)
CIVILIAN OR MILITARY POWER EUROPE? THE EVOLVING NATURE OF EUROPEAN UNION POWER
The collapse of Soviet power in Eastern Europe surfaced expectations of a wave of civilian power in international relations (IR). The European Community was expected to shift from exercising military power in a defensive manner, and move inextricably toward non-military and economic means in order to achieve national objectives. The development of supranational structures and institutions within Europe, to manage international issues, was also expected to represent part of the core of Europe’s burgeoning role in IR.
INTERVIEW WITH NICOS DIMOU
Nicos Dimou is one of the most eminent Greek writers and commentators. He was a columnist for the leading Greek dailies and weeklies, and author of many television and radio shows, the first Greek writer who hosted talk-shows on literary and ideological topics. He has written more than 60 books, including poetry, satire, philosophy, political theory. Probably his most famous book is: “On the Misery of Being Greek”. Now he works as a freelance writer...
MACEDONIA'S ROAD TO THE EUROPEAN UNION
A decade and a half after declaring independence in 1991, the Republic of Macedonia is a candidate for membership to the European Union. Measured solely through financial, economical or cultural criteria, the EU could very well place Macedonia together with the other countries of the Western Balkans "on hold" for quite some time. That is why the decision of the European Union to grant Macedonia a candidate status is an act of vision on part of its political leadership...