Original scientific paper
ETHNIC ASPECTS OF THE SECURITY OF SOUTHEAST EUROPE
Siniša Tatalović
; Faculty of Political Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Wars and suffering in the 20th century, mostly the consequences of ethnic and religious antagonisms, have been typical for Europe’s southeast. That is why the ethnic aspects of security are central to the understanding of the totality of this region’s security, particularly in the 21st century. The security of southeast Europe can be analyzed using realistic, idealistic and neo-realistic approaches to contemporary security as its starting point. The security of this region is affected by the internal circumstances of the region’s states and by the economic situation and inter-ethnic relations in particular. Similarly, significant influence is exerted by the relations among the states and nations living there as well as by the ethnic-based conflicts which are the outcomes of these relations. A series of problems caused by the east- European transformations includes the unresolved ethnic and minority issues. That is why no southeastern European state today has worked out the issue of the relations with its neighbors. This part of Europe is to remain a volatile region, fraught with economic difficulties and crises, nationalisms and xenophobia. In such circumstances, with the open sores of simmering ethnic feuds and the specter of various nationalisms, is it realistic to expect rational politics which is supposed to lead the countries of southeastern Europe towards the united Europe? This is the question the answer to which is sought not only by this region’s states but also by the leading European states and the USA.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
33444
URI
Publication date:
3.6.1998.
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