THE WESTERN BALKANS COOPERATION, GEOPOLITICS AND ECONOMIC TRANSITIONS AND RELATIONS 381 pages, pdf  Download Back

THE WESTERN BALKANS COOPERATION, GEOPOLITICS AND ECONOMIC TRANSITIONS AND RELATIONS

A continuous association of the Balkans with negative metaphors reflected in the destruction, ethnic hatred, divisiveness, backwardness, and radical nationalism, significantly inhibit the future of the region. More than a century-long construction of the Western Balkan’s negative image by the local and international actors and constructivists also shape the future agenda, the local mentality and the public sphere. In this regard, most of progressive initiatives and agendas, such as the Euro-Atlantic integration process, have been framed by the Western Balkans negative image and ethno-nationalism. Instead of using the European goals and values in framing the Western Balkans socio-political and economic realities, these progressive initiatives have fallen into the ethno-nationalist trap, which in turn has corrupted these progressive initiatives. Perhaps, this could be an essential reason why the Euro-Atlantic process in the Western Balkans is being questioned. Therefore, this book explores the democratization process, reconciliation, regional cooperation, and integration, economics, trade, commerce and socio-cultural transitions as inevitable alternatives to nationalism, extremism, radicalism, divisiveness, and hostility. Ultimately, the idea is to change the public discourse from a predominant focus on the past wars, divisions, and hostilities to start constructively thinking about the common Western Balkans future, which draws inspiration from the common culture, heritage, democratic values, cooperation, and integration. Also, the book will prepare readers to encounter the constructively present-day „balkanization“ and “ethno-nationalism” that seriously threaten the peace, order, stability, prosperity, and security in the region.