Europe's Balkan Dilemma: Paths to Civil Society or State-Building

(Paperback)

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Through the intervention of the European Union, the lives of people living in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia and Kosovo have been transformed beyond recognition. From the perspective of the Western Balkans today, the EU looks and acts like a development agency with a broad brief and deep pockets. Yet until the end of the twentieth century, external relations and foreign policy were minor aspects of EU activity. How and why has the role of the EU changed so dramatically and what does this reveal about the future development of the Balkan states Europe's Balkan Dilemma offers the first comprehensive analysis of the impact of EU assistance and intervention in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia and Kosovo. Adam Fagan places the fundamental question of what has been achieved through the EU's increased involvement in the region in the context of the EU's ambitions in global security and conflict management beyond the Balkan states. Europe's Balkan Dilemma will be a vital resource not only for students of International Relations and European Studies but also for anyone involved in helping to equip this tumultuous region for the next phase in its eventful history.

Reviews

A strong investigation of EU assistance to NGOs in the Western Balkans and the product of excellent research.' - James Gow, Professor of International Peace and Security, King's College London 'Adam Fagan's useful book provides a well-needed overview of the many development and assistance packages the European Union delivered in the western Balkans.' - Jelena Subotic, Slavic Review 'Anyone with an interest in the development of "civil society" in transition countries will benefit from reading this study.' - Toby Vogel, European Voice

Author Bio

Adam Fagan is Reader in Politics in the Department of Politics at Queen Mary, University of London. He is a specialist on Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans and the author of Environment and Democracy in the Czech Republic