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2020 | Book

Introduction Read chapter Read first chapter

The Rise of Authoritarianism in the Western Balkans

Author: Prof. Florian Bieber

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

Book Series : New Perspectives on South-East Europe

Part of: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

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About this book

This book explores the stagnation of democracy in the Western Balkans over the last decade. The author maps regional features of rising authoritarianism that mirror larger global trends and, in doing so, outlines the core mechanisms of authoritarian rule in the Balkans, with a particular focus on Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia. These mechanisms include the creation of constant crises, the use of external powers to balance outside influences, as well as state capture. The authoritarian patterns exist alongside formal democratic institutions, resulting in competitive authoritarian regimes that use social polarization to retain power. As the countries of the Western Balkans aspire, at least formally, to join the European Union, authoritarianism is often informal.

Table of Contents

Frontmatter
Chapter 1. Introduction
Abstract
This introductory chapter argues that there has been a decline and stagnation of democracy in the Western Balkans. This crisis of democracy follows larger trends but also displays regional specificities, including a history of semi-authoritarianism and complex geopolitical position outside the European Union.
Florian Bieber
Chapter 2. Challenges of Democratic Consolidation
Abstract
This chapter outlines the causes for the semi-authoritarian regimes during the 1990s and the late democratization. It further explores why consolidated democratic structures did not emerge after the 1990s.
Florian Bieber
Chapter 3. Patterns of Authoritarianism
Abstract
This chapter examines the countries of the region, exploring the different patterns of democratic backsliding. It traces democratic decline in the region country by country, identifying key patterns and moments over the past decade years.
Florian Bieber
Chapter 4. Mechanisms of Authoritarianism
Abstract
This chapter explores the different mechanisms of competitive authoritarianism in the region, including the use of political crisis, nationalism, control over the media, a weak opposition, and civil society and state capture. The chapter further examines the role of external actors in sustaining competitive authoritarian regimes.
Florian Bieber
Chapter 5. Conclusion
Abstract
This concluding chapter takes the crisis and fall of the Gruevski government in Macedonia between 2015 and 2017 to understand the conditions under which the competitive regimes in the Western Balkans can be challenged.
Florian Bieber
Backmatter
Metadata
Title
The Rise of Authoritarianism in the Western Balkans
Author
Prof. Florian Bieber
Copyright Year
2020
Electronic ISBN
978-3-030-22149-2
Print ISBN
978-3-030-22148-5
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22149-2