ABOUT THIS BOOK

This volume is driven by the conviction that the key to the establishment of stable liberal democracy anywhere in the world and, in this case, in Kosovo lies in the completion of three interrelated tasks: first, the creation of effective political institutions, based on the principle of the separation of powers (including the independence of the judiciary); second, the promotion of the rule of law; and, third, the promotion of civic values, including tolerance or ethnic/religious/sexual minorities, trust, and respect for the harm principle. In fact, there are problems across all three measures, including with judicial independence, with the rule of law, and with civic values. On the last of these, research findings show that the citizens of Kosovo rank extremely low on trust of other citizens, low on engagement in social organizations, and tolerance of gays, lesbians, and atheists, but high on trust in the political institutions of their country and in pride of their newly independent state.

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

Albert Simkus is Professor of Sociology in the Department of Sociology and Political Science at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim.

Sabrina P. Ramet is a Professor of Political Science at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway. She is also a member of the Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters, a member of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, and a Research Associate of the Science and Research Center of the Republic of Slovenia, Koper. She is the author of 13 scholarly books.

Ola Listhaug is a Professor of Political Science in the Department of Sociology and Political Science, at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, and research group leader at the Centre for the Study of Civil War at the International Peace Research Institute (PRIO).

REVIEWS

"I highly recommend the book Civic and Uncivic Values in Kosovo for its comprehensive discussion of the Kosovo case and deep insights into the situation of the region – insights imperative to the development of strategies for Kosovo’s consolidation, as well as consolidation of other Western Balkan countries. The book offers comprehensive insight into the complexities of both the Serbian and Albanian communities, and particularly their traumas and narratives, which have to be taken into consideration when addressing the difficult issues of the recent past. We need to draw proper lessons from failures: the changes we are hoping for can take place only if societies themselves have been prepared to embrace them. And this book clearly charts this course."
-- Southeastern Europe

"This volume provides insights and relevant material for practitioners of European studies, sociology, and political science. Researchers and other students of politics, sociology, the Balkans and specifically Kosovo will find this book very useful and helpful in order to better understand the relationship between Albanians and Serbs in Kosovo and the historical context of statebuilding in the country. This volume makes a contribution to the extensive literature for scholars who are focusing their research on state-building in Kosovo and the path to reconciliation."
-- Südosteuropa

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface List of Tables List of Figures 1. Civic and Uncivic Values in Kosovo: An Introduction Sabrina P. Ramet I. History 2. A Short History of Kosovar Albanians’ Struggle for Independence, 1878–1998 Roberto Morozzo della Rocca 3. Historiography in Post-Independence Kosovo Oliver Jens Schmitt 4. British Policy towards the Kosova Liberation Army, 1996–2000 James Pettifer 5. The Uprising and NATO’s Intervention, 1998–99 Zachary T. Irwin 6. The International Presence in Kosovo, 1999–2008 Johanna Deimel II. Politics 7. The Development of the Political System since February 2008 Altug Günal 8. The Serbs of Kosovo Florian Bieber 9. “Our Men Will Not Have Amnesia”: Civic Engagement, Emancipation, and Gendered Public in Kosovo Nita Luci and Linda Gusia 10. Solving the Issue of Northern Kosovo and Regional Cooperation Dušan Janjic III. Values and Value Transformation 11. Kosova 1912–2000 in the History Textbooks of Kosova and Serbia Shkëlzen Gashi 12. Civic Values in Kosovo within a European Perspective Kristen Ringdal 13. Differences in Values between and among Albanians and Serbs in Kosovo Albert Simkus and Shemsi Krasniqi 14. Political Support in Kosovo Karin Dyrstad IV. Conclusion 15. Kosovo as an International Problem Anton Bebler 16. Can Dialogue Make a Difference? The Experience of the Nansen Dialogue Network Steinar Bryn 17. The Roots of Instability and the Prerequisites of Stability in Kosovo: A Conclusion Sabrina P. Ramet and Albert Simkus Notes on Contributors Further Reading