Abstract
Ruman Gechev argues that the Balkans have been one of the most dynamic regions of political developments in Europe. The intensely multicultural region stands at the crossroads of the world's major religions, cultures and economic systems. The resulting clash has led to a level of violence since 1992 that Gechev argues has been exacerbated by outside interventions and misplaced economic and political policies by what he calls the great powers of the US, EU and the UN. Nevertheless, he sees the solution in an integration of the region into the EU with the promise of peace underscored by economic integration and political cooperation.
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Notes
Kosovo is a holy land for the Serbs, following the decisive historical battle with the Ottomans in 1389.
The religious structure of Bosnia in 1990 was 45% Muslim Serbs, 33% Orthodox Christian Serbs, 18% Croats, 4% others.
References
Dinkic Mladjan (ed.) (2000) Economic Consequences of NATO Bombing. Available at http://monde-diplomatique.fr/cahier/kosovo/documents/g17-en.pdf
Economic Survey of Europe (2002) No.1, Geneva: UN Economic Commission for Europe.
Medija Klub (2000) ‘EU Plans to Speed Up Balkans Trade’ available at: www.medijaklub.cg.yu/eng/articles/2000/march/31.htm
United Nations (2002) Statistical Yearbook 2002. New York: UN Publications.
Wheeler Nicholas J. (2001) ‘Humanitarian Intervention after Kosovo: Emergent norm, moral duty or the coming anarchy? Journal of International Affairs 77(1).
Woodward Susan (1996) ‘The United States Leads, Europe Pays’, Journal of Transition 2(14).
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Gechev, R. Violence, Political Turbulence and Economic Development in the Balkans. Development 47, 81–87 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.development.1100002
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.development.1100002