SCALB - Keshilli Studentor Shqiptar

CSEESF Research Competition - Democratization in the Balkans

The Central South Eastern European Security Forum
(CSEESF), also known as the Balkan Mosaic, represents
a regional network on common security providing a
platform for developing a new dialogue on security
concepts by participants in the region, where
priorities are formed from its own dynamics in the
region. An open security environment through the
CSEESF program will be a crucial element in the
capacity building of the infrastructure of the
Atlantic movement.

Information regarding the Balkan Mosaic publications
and events can be found on our Internet website,
http://www.balkanmosaic.org.

The research component ranks high among the Balkan
Mosaic priorities. It is important to note that,
compared to the rest of Eastern Europe, the Balkans in
general, and more specifically the Western Balkans,
have received very little attention in the literature
on democratization.

The primary goal of our research coordination program
is to develop a democratization theory, meant to
address contextual considerations regarding the
region. Since theory rests at the basis of sound
academic research, we need to take into account the
constantly evolving nature of the theory – having to
evaluate and revise the existent theories and induce a
new conceptualization of factors. The same is
applicable to security research. Security has been an
elusive concept as it proved almost impossible to draw
up a comprehensive definition, yet narrow enough to be
operational. Usually it is believed that the main
focus is on external security, while the internal
values and institutions are taken for granted, which
is obviously not the case in the region focused on.

The CSEESF is hereby launching a Research Competition
on the issue of democratization!

The authors of the best ranked papers will be awarded
the following prizes:

– first place: 250 USD and an invitation to the CSEESF
Summer Symposium to take place in Ohrid, Macedonia in
September 2005
– second place: 2 prizes of 150 USD each
– third place: 2 prizes of 100 USD each

The selected papers will also be included in a
follow-up publication as well as uploaded on our
website.

We invite undergraduate, postgraduate as well as PhD
students from all Balkan Mosaic member countries
(Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia,
Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro and
UNMIK-Kosovo) to send their research addressing
primarily, but not exclusively, the following issues:


1. What is the exact conceptualization of “democracy”
and where is the line between democratic and
non-democratic regimes?
2. What is the conceptualization of the “transition”
towards democracy?
a) How do transitions in South-Eastern Europe differ
from those experienced by other post-Communist
European societies?
b) How do transitions in individual societies in the
region differ from each other?
3. What are the main, most frequently occurring lapses
in democratic practice and on what grounds can those
practices be criticized?
4. Drawing on previous studies of nationalism, ethnic
relations and ethnic conflicts, what are the chances
for successful democracy in deeply divided,
ethno-culturally diverse societies?

To find out more about the research domains of the
CSEESF eligible for research submission, please visit
the Research section of the Forum website.

The deadline for paper submissions is August 15, 2005.


For further information, please contact the Research
Coordination Team at office@balkanmosaic.org.

posted by Administrator @ 12:33 AM