ARTICLES [Read Abstracts]
Sulstarova, Enis. 2009. “Albanian Orientalism.” Albanian Journal of Politics, V (2) (December 2009).
Karagiannopoulou, Zacharoula. 2009. “Religious Cleavages: An instrument of the Great Powers’ Foreign Policy towards Albania.” Albanian Journal of Politics, V (2) (December 2009).
Alpion, Gëzim. 2009. “Enoch Powell, Immigration and English Nationalism.” Albanian Journal of Politics, V (2) (December 2009).
Machida, Satoshi. 2009. “Does Globalization Contribute to “Peace”? Cross-National Analyses.” Albanian Journal of Politics, V (2) (December 2009).
BOOK REVIEWS
Gershman. Norman H. 2008. "Besa: Muslims Who Saved Jews in World War II.” Albanian Journal of Politics, V (2) (December 2009).
Reviewed by Elton Skendaj
Diamond, Larry and Marc F. Platter (eds). 2008. "How People View Democracy." Albanian Journal of Politics, V (1) (December 2009)
Reviewed by Fatmir Haskaj
ARTICLES [Read Abstracts]
Selaci, Gëzim. 2009. "Ethnic Politics in Post-Conflict Kosovo: Agonistic Democracy as an Alternative to Antagonistic Interethnic Relations in Post-conflict Kosovo." Albanian Journal of Politics, V (1) (June 2009).
Mullen, Rene. 2009. "Causes of Civil War Onset." Albanian Journal of Politics, V (1) (June 2009).
Tozaj, Dorjan. 2009. "Time to Learn From the Past: Nurturing the Positive Outcomes of Kosovo Conflict." Albanian Journal of Politics, V (1) (June 2009).
BOOK REVIEWS
Munck, Gerardo L. 2009. "Measuring Democracy: A Bridge Between Scholarship and Politics." Albanian Journal of Politics, V (1) (June 2009)
Reviewed by Michael Ardovino
Hasselmann, Chris. 2006. "Policy Reform and the Development of Democracy in Eastern Europe." Albanian Journal of Politics, V (1) (June 2009)
Reviewed by Catherine Spieser
ARTICLES
Albanian Orientalism
Enis Sulstarova
Despite the fact that Albanians have frequently been the target of Orientalist stereotyping, both by Westerners and the Balkan neighbors, they have developed their own brand of Orientalism. Similar to other countries in Central and Eastern Europe, the processes of modernization in Albania have been culturally and strategically conceptualized the means to become part of European civilization and to escape from the consequences and “pollution” of their national identity by a series of “Eastern others”. This paper traces the trajectory of Albanian Orientalism through the analysis of the works of main intellectuals in four institutional periods of the country’s modern history, from the last decades of the 19th century until the present day. Emerging within the National Awakening movement’s discourse, Orientalism became an essential tool in the struggle against the Ottomans; in between the two world wars, it was used in the imagining of an organic against the degeneracy of the past and against the “Oriental” landlords; after the Second World War, Orientalism was crucial in justifying the lonely road of Albanian Communist regime in Europe. In post-Communist transition the Albanian national identity is articulated in opposition to “Eastern” legacies of underdevelopment, Communism and, especially since 9/11, Islam.
Religious Cleavages: An instrument of the Great Powers’ Foreign Policy towards Albania
Zacharoula Karagiannopoulou
This article is an effort to outline the geopolitical interests of the Great Powers in Albania (1912-1938), while taking into consideration the social situation of the country (especially its religious heterogeneity, which led to the formation of a religious cleavage). It searches the association of the Great Powers’ foreign policy towards Albania with the existing religious cleavage by observing the “place” which the religious cleavage occupies in Lipset and Rokkan’s theoretical model of the two dimensions of cleavages. The paper discusses how religious cleavages became an instrument of foreign policy- used by both the Great Powers and neighboring countries- in order to promote their geopolitical interests, protect their strategic objectives in the region and secure pathways of interference in the political life of the new-born state.
Enoch Powell, Immigration and English Nationalism
Gëzim Alpion
Focusing on the nature of the intra-national relations among ‘indigenous’ British peoples and their attitudes towards the ‘alien’ population that had started arriving in Britain in the late 1940s, Alpion proposes that Enoch Powell’s 1968 speeches reflected a ‘traditional’ stance towards the colonial ‘other’ as well as a concern about the demographic changes taking place in parts of Britain, especially in England, in the late 1960s. Alpion then approaches the British political elite’s treatment of Powell in the context of the prevailing institutionalised dislike for so-called populist politicians and populist politics in Britain, arguing that this was a ‘timely’ intervention to curb the rise of ‘ethnic’ English nationalism when Britain was moving from an Empire to a nation-state. The essay concludes with an assessment of the impact of Powell’s outright castigation by the officialdom on British politics and the immigration debate in Britain.
Does Globalization Contribute to “Peace”? Cross-National Analyses
Satoshi Machida
This study explores the relationship between globalization and “peace,” relying on the “Global Peace Index” (GPI) and the “GlobalIndex.” The statistical analyses using these measures demonstrate positive impacts of globalization on peace. Specifically, the findings indicate that economic and “socio-technical” dimensions of globalization significantly enhance peace in the world by reducing conflict and improving stability in society. By dissecting the process through which globalization affects peace, this study advances our understanding of globalization forces in the world.
BOOK REVIEWS
Gershman. Norman H. 2008. “Besa: Muslims Who Saved Jews in World War II.” Albanian Journal of Politics, V (2) (December 2009).
Reviewed by Elton Skendaj
Diamond, Larry and Marc F. Platter (eds). 2008. "How People View Democracy." Albanian Journal of Politics, V (1) (December 2009)
Reviewed by Fatmir Haskaj
ARTICLES
Ethnic Politics in Post-Conflict Kosovo: Agonistic Democracy as an Alternative to Antagonistic Interethnic Relations in Post-conflict Kosovo
Gëzim Selaci
A decade since international actors engaged in peace-building and state-building processes in Kosovo, tensions still prevail between the two main ethnic groups, the Albanian majority and the Serb minority, in the country. After failing to build a rational consensus in a deeply divided Kosovo society, international actors have shifted the focus towards legalizing the ethnic divisions by creating or allowing for state institutions to function on the grounds of ethnicity, thus perpetuating ethnic antagonisms. The technocratic approach of international state-building in Kosovo is skeptical about the domestic political process and sees it as damaging to the plans for Kosovo. This study considers pluralist democracy and politics of inclusion as a strategy for allowing communities to articulate and debate their political values and aspirations at a national level. Pluralist democracy would facilitate agonistic relations in which conflict is characterized by a struggle between political adversaries whose existence is legitimate and must be tolerated, thus replacing actual antagonistic relations between enemies seeking to eliminate each-other.
Causes of Civil War Onset
Rene Mullen
Increased attention to civil conflict has created debate over its causes and whether or not some civil conflicts, specifically ethnic and religious conflicts, should be theoretically separate. Some scholars argue that ethnic and civil wars should not be separated into different categories (Fearon and Laitin 2003) while others assert that ethnic conflicts have theoretically different causes. Along with inconsistent foci on dependent variables, the literature suffers from conflicting model specifications. This paper rectifies this situation by testing conclusions across the literature using Collier and Hoeffler’s (2001) Greed and Grievance Model. I find that ethnic fractionalization significantly predicts ethnic civil war onset; however, ethnic grievance remains the superior explanatory variable. This project supports Sambanis’ (2001) results and concludes that differences between ethnic and non-ethnic conflicts extend beyond ethnic cleavages.
Time to Learn From the Past: Nurturing the Positive Outcomes of Kosovo Conflict
Dorjan Tozaj
The struggle between human rights and state sovereignty is not a novelty to international law. There is an undeniable a requirement in the contemporary world for sovereignty concept to be seen as pragmatic rather than stringent. This paramount need to limit the scope of sovereignty, in order to avoid its poisonous effect towards the whole of international law, is strengthened further from the unworkable state of Security Council. Had the abuses in Kosovo during the end of the 1990’s been tolerated, so as to keep intact the straight jacket of international law, a very damaging message would have been transmitted to humanity, not to mention the risk of a population becoming extinct. On the other hand, unauthorized intervention not only creates the potential for abuse but also sets a perfect ground for the triggering of a blame game among major political actors. In this article the author supports NATO’s intervention in Kosovo, on the grounds of its unique circumstances it embarked. However, clear guidelines for intervention shall be put in place if we are to strike the right balance between defending human rights and preserving state sovereignty.
BOOK REVIEWS
Munck, Gerardo L. 2009. "Measuring Democracy: A Bridge Between Scholarship and Politics." Albanian Journal of Politics, V (1) (June 2009)
Reviewed by Michael Ardovino
Hasselmann, Chris. 2006. "Policy Reform and the Development of Democracy in Eastern Europe." Albanian Journal of Politics, V (1) (June 2009)
Reviewed by Catherine Spieser
ARTICLES
Haskaj, Fatmir. 2008. “Manufacturing Subsovereignty: Philosophy, Politics and Primitive Accumulation.” Albanian Journal of Politics, IV (2) (December 2008).
Akçalı, Pınar and Enis Sulstarova. 2008. “Constructing the Albanian Nation Through Discourse: Continuity and Change in Three Periods in Modern History of Albania.” Albanian Journal of Politics, IV (2) (December 2008).
BOOK REVIEWS
Alpion, Gëzim. 2008. “Encounters with Civilizations: From Alexander the Great to Mother Teresa.” Albanian Journal of Politics, IV (2) (December 2008).
Reviewed by Claire Smetherham
Scott, James Wesley. 2006. “EU Enlargement, Region Building and Shifting Borders of Inclusion and Exclusion.” Albanian Journal of Politics, IV (2) (December 2008).
Reviewed by Dejan Stjepanović
ARTICLES
Chiodi, Luisa. 2008. "The profession of Civil Society in Post-communist Albania." Albanian Journal of Politics, IV (1) (June 2008).
Alpion, Gezim. 2008. "Brain down the drain. An exposé of social closure in Western academia." Albanian Journal of Politics, IV (1) (June 2008).
BOOK REVIEWS
Hajrullahu, Arben. 2007. "Langfristiger Frieden am Westbalkan durch EU-Integration. Der EU-Integrationsprozeß als Chance für die Überwindung des serbisch-kosovoarischen Konfliktes." [Long term peace in the Western Balkans through EU-Integration.] Albanian Journal of Politics, IV (1) (June 2008).
Reviewed by Henriette Riegler.
Mulaj, Kledja. 2008. "Politics of Ethnic Cleansing: Nation-State Building and Provision of In/Security in Twentieth-Century Balkans." Albanian Journal of Politics, IV (1) (June 2008).
Reviewed by Ada Hyso.
With the end of Cold War, ethnicity with its multi-dimensional character has become a salient source of strife within and between states, thus profoundly affecting both domestic and transnational politics across the world, especially that of developing world. The effects of ethnic identity are felt at micro- and macro levels of decision making. It affects the choices of individuals, groups of individuals and decision-makers in a series of arenas: political, economic, and military. As the human toll as result of internal and external ethnic conflicts is increasing every day, so does the concern of political scientists trying to understand and identify its roots and persistency; its interaction with other political, economic and military factors; and the methods that best end or mitigate ethnic conflict. While questions such as how ethnic conflict affects political stability, establishment and consolidation of democracy, economic development, and security and safety have been considered in the discipline, there is still room for further exploration of these issues as no broad consensus exists.
A list of possible themes discussing ethnic conflict either in general or within specific cultural, geographical and/or institutional settings, are listed below.
• Ethnicity and violent conflict
• Ethnic conflict and institutions
• Transnational ethnic conflict: interstate, spillover and diffusion
• Ethnic violence and economic development
• Ethnic conflict and civil society
• Resolution of ethnic conflict
• Post-ethnic conflict nation-building
These themes are meant as examples. A broader range of themes addressing ethnic violence and ethnic conflict resolution will be considered by the Editorial Group.
Submission should be sent electronically both to ajp@alpsa.org and adahyso@uwm.edu by November 15, 2008. Selection decisions will be made by February 15, 2009. The final drafts are expected by May 15 2009.
ARTICLES
Tamvaki, Dionysia. 2007. "Theoretical Differentiation: New Wine in the Old EU Enlargement Bottle.” Albanian Journal of Politics, III (2).
Dahl, Matilda. 2007. “Transforming States and the Construction of Progress: European Commission Monitoring in Central East Europe.” Albanian Journal of Politics, III (2).
Papa, Elda. 2007. “Albanian Political Parties 2007.” Albanian Journal of Politics, III (2).
BOOK REVIEWS
Leslie Holmes. 2006. “Rotten States?: Corruption, Post-communism, and Neoliberalism.” Reviewed by Catherine Spieser, Albanian Journal of Politics, III (2)
Gezim Alpion. 2007. “Encounters with Civilizations: From Alexander the Great to Mother Teresa.” Reviewed by Gaston Roberge, Albanian Journal of Politics, III (2)
Christian Joppke. 2005. “Selecting by Origin: Ethnic Migration in the Liberal State.” Reviewed by Ridvan Peshkopia, Albanian Journal of Politics, III (2)
Larry Diamond and Marc F. Plattner (Eds). 2006. “Electoral Systems and Democracy.” Reviewed by Altin Ilirjani, Albanian Journal of Politics, III (2)
]]>TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLES
Zerpa, Levis. 2007. “Outline of a Game-Theoretical Approach to the Philosophy of Science Based on the Hawk-Dove Game.” Albanian Journal of Politics III (1).
Peshkopia, Ridvan. 2007. “Solving the Prisoner’s Dilemma by Employing the Golden Rule: Some Implications for Political Science Research.” Albanian Journal of Politics III (1).
Weishaar, Stefan and Jonida Milaj. 2007. “Albanian State Aid Legislation and Its Coherency with EC Legislation.” Albanian Journal of Politics III (1).
Hasimja, Ermal. 2007. “2007 Local Elections in Albania: What Each Side Won and Lost.” Albanian Journal of Politics III (1).
Xhaferi, Arbën. 2007. “The Religious Suspension of the Divine.” Albanian Journal of Politics III (1).
BOOK REVIEWS
Ralph, Margaret Nutting. 2007. Review of Mother Teresa: Saint or Celebrity?, by Gëzim Alpion. Albanian Journal of Politics III (1).
Harri, Ardian. 2007. Review of The Euro Before the EU?: An Estimate of the Effects of Euroization in the Western Balkans, by Altin Ilirjani. Albanian Journal of Politics III (1).
Djajić Horváth, Aleksandra. 2007. Review of Albania Today. A Portrait of Post-Communist Turbulence, by Clarissa de Waal. Albanian Journal of Politics III (1).
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLES [Read Abstracts]
Brisku, Adrian. 2006. “Occidentalizing the Past and Orientalizing the Present: Ismail Kadare’s and President Moisiu’s ‘European’ Albanian Identity.” Albanian Journal of Politics II(2): 82-103.
Beluli, Raim. 2006. “Mental Mapping: Southeastern Europe, a Politically ‘Contaminated’ or a Historical Meso-Region.” Albanian Journal of Politics II(2): 104-119.
BOOK REVIEWS
Alpion, Gezim. 2006. Review of Mother Teresa: A Saint from Skopje, by Hiromi Josepha Kudo. Albanian Journal of Politics II(2): 120-122. [Download in PDF]
Prifti, Renis. 2006. Review of Kosova Express. A Journey in Wartime, by James Pettifer. Albanian Journal of Politics II(2): 123-124. [Download in PDF]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLES [Read Abstracts]
Young, Antonia. 2006. "'Sworn Virgins' as Supporters of Patriarchy." Albanian Journal of Politics II(1): 7-25.
Djajic-Horváth, Aleksandra. 2006. "'Get Armed and Buy Your Women' or What did the Turn-of-the-Century Globetrotter See in Northern Albania?" Albanian Journal of Politics II(1): 26-43.
Nixon, Nicola. 2006. "The Absence of Gender: Albania’s National Strategy on Migration." Albanian Journal of Politics II(1): 44-61.
REVIEW ARTICLE
Dushi, Arbnora. 2006. "Antonia Young and her interest about Albanian traditions." Albanian Journal of Politics II(1): 62-66.
BOOK REVIEWS
Kajsiu, Blendi. 2006. Review of Arratisje nga lindja: orientalizmi shqiptar nga Naimi te Kadare [Escaping from the East: Albanian Orientalism from Naim Frasheri to Kadare], by Enis Sulstarova. Albanian Journal of Politics II (1): 67-71. [Download in PDF]
Pula, Besnik. 2006. Review of Arratisje nga lindja: orientalizmi shqiptar nga Naimi te Kadare [Escaping from the East: Albanian orientalism from Naim Frasheri to Kadare], by Enis Sulstarova. Albanian Journal of Politics II (1): 72-81. [Download in PDF]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLES
Occidentalizing the Past and Orientalizing the Present: Ismail Kadare’s and President Moisiu’s “European”Albanian Identity
ADRIAN BRISKU
ABSTRACT
With the rise of Albania’s prospects for joining the European Union, the discourse of Europeanness of Albanian identity has been gaining a strong momentum within political and intellectual discourses in Albania. While such discourses of approximating Albanian identity to a perceived European one represent nothing new, little attention has been paid as to its nature and implications within Albanian political and intellectual space and how much it reflects contemporary discourse outside Albania. By employing a conceptual analysis method, this paper analyzes the meanings behind two recent texts of Albanian President, Alfred Moisiu, and of the internationally acclaimed writer, Ismail Kadare. The paper maintains that the “European” Identity of Albanians as perceived by Kadare and Moisiu is Eurocentric, essentialist, fundamentalist and anti-modernist. Europe is seen as a Christian cultural space, positively constructed, yet a static and religiously intolerant entity, exclusive towards the Other. Such discourses are unproductive and unnecessary in the contemporary Albanian and European context.
Mental Mapping: Southeastern Europe, a Politically “Contaminated” or a Historical Meso-Region
RAIM BELULI
ABSTRACT
Since its introduction in Germany in the mid 19th century, the geographical concept of “Southeastern Europe” has undergone controversial perceptions and polemical (re)demarcations. This is not only due to evident ethnic, linguistic, economic, religious or cultural diversity of the region but also to methodology, ideology, research field, time period and purpose of the observer. Starting at least from the era of the nation-state building, the Balkans/Southeastern Europe have been consistently projected as an area of opposing European economic, political and cultural interests. By focusing on the imaginary construct of “Southeastern Europe” during the time of Weimar Republic and German National Socialism, this article aims to stress the following: The ongoing process of European integration and that of deconstructing nationalistic patterns, historiographies, myths and stereotypes of Eastern Europe, runs the high risk of constructing new clichés and imaginary borders on the region. In other words, geo-spatial divisions are not given, they are produced.
BOOK REVIEWS
Alpion, Gezim. 2006. Review of Mother Teresa: A Saint from Skopje, by Hiromi Josepha Kudo. Albanian Journal of Politics II(2): 120-122. [Download in PDF]
Prifti, Renis. 2006. Review of Kosova Express. A Journey in Wartime, by James Pettifer. Albanian Journal of Politics II(2): 123-124. [Download in PDF]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLES
“Sworn Virgins” as supporters of Patriarchy
ANTONIA YOUNG
ABSTRACT
In traditional patriarchal society in the southern Balkans, there has long been an option providing male heirs where none actually exist: a girl or woman herself, or her parents even at birth, may declare that she has become a male. In these cases the female thenceforth dresses as a boy/man, performs male tasks and mixes socially as a male. With the change she swears virginity and may never revert to her birth gender. In this way inheritance of a family home is assured. This possibility is also open as an honorable way for a girl to refuse to marry a specific man who has been chosen as her future husband. "Sworn virgins" still live in Northern Albania, where they are completely respected in their male roles within their tightknit societies. This phenomenon actually supports the strict patriarchal system, still in place in northern Albania, if also ambiguously, allowing subordinated females a way to a freer life.
“Get armed and buy your women” or What did the turn-of-the-century globetrotter see in northern Albania?
ALEKSANDRA DJAJIC-HORVÁTH
ABSTRACT
This text would look into the complex interplay of sexual and cultural difference in the process of constructing the latter through the analysis of representations of women from northern Albania in travel accounts from the second half of the nineteenth and the beginning of the twentieth centuries. The discussion of the representations of indigenous women reflects articulation of both, the viewers’ sexuality ideology and political positions. Ideas are placed within the broader framework of the analysis of the representations of the Balkans as the area of “narrative” colonialism during the delineated period, with the woman seen as embodying tradition and the essence of the region. Through the polyphony of the representations of northern Albanian women, mostly colored by sensual curiosity and latent colonial tendencies, by travelers’ fantasy and desire, there appear the descriptions of poverty and hard living conditions, particularly those of women, that very likely do reflect, in a great extent, “a reality out there.”
The Absence of Gender: Albania’s National Strategy on Migration
NICOLA NIXON
ABSTRACT
One of Albania’s nine Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) is to achieve higher levels of gender equality and gender empowerment. To this end, in theory, the Albanian government, in cooperation with international organisations under the umbrella of the United Nations, is endeavouring to implement gender-sensitive national policies that will address the growing inequalities between men and women in Albanian society. Yet the Albanian government is very much a product of the post-communist culture in which it operates and, as such, it tends to reflect, in its policy making activities, the kinds of gender biases that are present in every-day life in Albania.
REVIEW ARTICLE
Dushi, Arbnora. 2006. "Antonia Young and her interest about Albanian traditions." Albanian Journal of Politics II(1): 62-66.
BOOK REVIEWS
Kajsiu, Blendi. 2006. Review of Arratisje nga lindja: orientalizmi shqiptar nga Naimi te Kadare [Escaping from the East: Albanian Orientalism from Naim Frasheri to Kadare], by Enis Sulstarova. Albanian Journal of Politics II (1): 67-71. [Download in PDF]
Pula, Besnik. 2006. Review of Arratisje nga lindja: orientalizmi shqiptar nga Naimi te Kadare [Escaping from the East: Albanian orientalism from Naim Frasheri to Kadare], by Enis Sulstarova. Albanian Journal of Politics II (1): 72-81. [Download in PDF]
ARTICLES [Read Abstracts]
Brisku, Adrian. 2006. “Occidentalizing the Past and Orientalizing the Present: Ismail Kadare’s and President Moisiu’s ‘European’ Albanian Identity.” Albanian Journal of Politics II(2): 82-103.
Beluli, Raim. 2006. “Mental Mapping: Southeastern Europe. A Politically ‘Contaminated’ or a Historical Meso-Region.” Albanian Journal of Politics II(2): 104-119.
BOOK REVIEWS
Alpion, Gezim. 2006. Review of Mother Teresa: A Saint from Skopje, by Hiromi Josepha Kudo. Albanian Journal of Politics II(2): 120-122. [Download in PDF]
Prifti, Renis. 2006. Review of Kosova Express. A Journey in Wartime, by James Pettifer. Albanian Journal of Politics II(2): 123-124. [Download in PDF]
ARTICLES [Read Abstracts]
Young, Antonia. 2006. "'Sworn Virgins' as Supporters of Patriarchy." Albanian Journal of Politics II(1): 7-25.
Djajic-Horváth, Aleksandra. 2006. "'Get Armed and Buy Your Women' or What did the Turn-of-the-Century Globetrotter See in Northern Albania?" Albanian Journal of Politics II(1): 26-43.
Nixon, Nicola. 2006. "The Absence of Gender: Albania’s National Strategy on Migration." Albanian Journal of Politics II(1): 44-61.
REVIEW ARTICLE
Dushi, Arbnora. 2006. "Antonia Young and her interest about Albanian traditions." Albanian Journal of Politics II(1): 62-66.
BOOK REVIEWS
Kajsiu, Blendi. 2006. Review of Arratisje nga lindja: orientalizmi shqiptar nga Naimi te Kadare [Escaping from the East: Albanian Orientalism from Naim Frasheri to Kadare], by Enis Sulstarova. Albanian Journal of Politics II (1): 67-71. [Download in PDF]
Pula, Besnik. 2006. Review of Arratisje nga lindja: orientalizmi shqiptar nga Naimi te Kadare [Escaping from the East: Albanian orientalism from Naim Frasheri to Kadare], by Enis Sulstarova. Albanian Journal of Politics II (1): 72-81. [Download in PDF]
ARTICLES [Read Abstracts]
Rama, Shinasi A. 2005. “Continuity or Metamorphosis? Realist Theories and the Anomaly of Medieval International Politics.” Albanian Journal of Politics, Vol. I (2).
Saunders, Robert A. 2005. “Virtual Irredentism? The Redemption and Reification of the Albanian Nation in Cyberspace.” Albanian Journal of Politics, Vol. I (2).
Ilirjani, Altin. 2005. “Electoral Institutions, Social Heterogeneity and Political Party Systems in Eastern Europe.” Albanian Journal of Politics, Vol. I (2).
BOOK REVIEWS
Pula, Besnik. 2005. Review of King Zog of Albania: Europe’s Self-Made Muslim Monarch, by Jason Hunter Tomes. Albanian Journal of Politics, I (2). [Download in PDF]
Peshkopia, Ridvan. 2005. Review of The New Albanian Migration, edited by King, Russell, Nicola Mai, and Stephanie Schwandner-Sievers. Albanian Journal of Politics, I (2). [Download in PDF]
ABSTRACTS
Continuity or Metamorphosis? Realist Theories and the Anomaly of Medieval International Politics
SHINASI A. RAMA
New York University
In this essay, I conduct an in-depth analysis of several canonical texts of realism. I seek to establish whether or not the analysis of medieval international politics constitutes an anomaly within realist approaches. I make a fourfold argument. First, I establish that while agreeing on the primordial assumption of the anarchical nature of international politics, the founders of realist school and the leading realist theorists disagree almost on every aspect of medieval political relations. Second, I demonstrate that the canonical texts of realism lack consistency across the board on each and one of the essential aspects of medieval politics. Third, I demonstrate that the interpretation of medieval politics in core realist texts falsifies the very assumptions upon which their arguments and claims about continuity are based. I conclude that the analysis of medieval politics and that of the transitions to and from medieval era constitute major anomalies within realism.
Virtual Irredentism? The Redemption and Reification of the Albanian Nation in Cyberspace
ROBERT A. SAUNDERS
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
This essay investigates the impact of Internet use on the representation and cohesiveness of the Albanian nation—both in the ethnic homelands (Kosova, Macedonia, and Albania) and in diaspora. My study finds that the Kosova crisis accelerated the evolution of Albanian cyberspace by providing a news and communications medium which could not be replicated through traditional media platforms. Since the 1990s, the effect of the Internet has been to harmonize certain elements of Albanian cultural identity and provide conceptual contiguity for a nation that has long been divided by international borders. My conclusion is that cyberspace is uniting the Albanian nation within a single communicative space or ecumene—although this does not fully compensate for the unrealized “redemption” of all Balkan Albanians under a single state. My theoretical analysis employs Appadurai’s notion of mediascapes to construct a post-Andersonian framework of “imagined communities” for the Internet era. My findings are supported by primary research conducted among the Web-enabled Albanian-American community, interviews with Albanian Web site operators and national liberation leaders, analysis of Albanian Web sites, and an exhaustive review of the English-language literature on the topic of Albanian cyberspace.
Electoral Institutions, Social Heterogeneity and Political Party Systems in Eastern Europe
ALTIN ILIRJANI
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
This paper attempts to estimate the impact of electoral institutions and social cleavages on the effective number of political parties in the post-communist countries of Eastern Europe. Several empirical models are presented based on institutional and sociological theories of party systems. Institutional designs are found to have a significant impact in shaping the party systems in Eastern Europe, whereas results about the impact of social cleavages on the effective number of vote winning parties are inconclusive. It is further argued that these results should be expected given the indeterminate nature of social cleavages in post communist societies and their relatively short experience with free elections.
BOOK REVIEWS
Pula, Besnik. 2005. Review of King Zog of Albania: Europe’s Self-Made Muslim Monarch, by Jason Hunter Tomes. Albanian Journal of Politics, I (2). [Download in PDF]
Peshkopia, Ridvan. 2005. Review of The New Albanian Migration, edited by King, Russell, Nicola Mai, and Stephanie Schwandner-Sievers. Albanian Journal of Politics, I (2). [Download in PDF]