During the last two decades leading Albanian political actors have developed political activity based on two parallel indicator: western formal models and marketing electoral programs, as well as eastern oriental model in the way they have designed and developed policy, elections, internal democracy and public discourse. Being correct to western formal models came as foreign imposition, as needed impersonation in terms of lack of experience and practical knowledge, as well as the response of major civic expectations.
The conclusion of this material is that we are dealing with continuous coexistence between Western model in programs and eastern model in practical implementation of these programs. Practical application of a parallel political system, in values, methods and political discourse was due to domestic consumption needs, fragility in the formation of political culture, local recognition of the dominant methods in politics and the pursuit of short-term political goals.
This thesis paper aims to analyze the formal western presentation of the two main political parties and their leaders during the transition, and to make this analysis in comparative relation to feeds and real features in daily political activity. Part of the study are the programs and the most important political positions, international relations associated with the level of democracy and the role of political parties in shaping a democratic, professional studies in the field of political behavior and political discourse.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Integrating aspirations vs. integrating culture
3. Local Vision vs. willingness to Europe
4. Expectations from the elites vs. responsibility to elites
5. West as a merit vs. West as a gift
6. Accidental suit vs. oriental mentality
7. Conclusions
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the political development in Albania during the transition period, focusing on the dichotomy between the formal adoption of Western political models and the underlying persistence of Eastern mentalities. The research questions how this dual system, characterized by Western-oriented rhetoric and traditional implementation practices, affects the country's democratization process, the role of political elites, and the genuine integration into Euro-Atlantic structures.
- The divergence between Western formal political standards and daily political practice.
- The impact of political culture and elite behavior on the sustainability of democratic reforms.
- The perception and instrumentalization of European integration by local political actors.
- The role of identity politics and the "East-West" narrative in Albanian political discourse.
Excerpt from the Book
Local Vision vs. willingness to Europe
Coping with "European Albania" as was intended and the results of local resources created a parallel system: rhetoric, image, statement and laws of Western models and in front of them, political behavior, thoughts and mentalities far from these models. For purposes of consumption and daily political interest politicians created in general a dual black and white reading system of political developments, of the vote and citizen sovereignty, of the report of the state to the individual, of the confront to the won liberties and the controversial limits of its misuse.
Lack of political will and determination to follow 100 % the Western model, western practice and behavior in active politics emerges even in the confronting of the balance between normality and conflict periods. Transition testified that whenever politics was in dialogue, cooperation, compromise and mutual respect political actors showed maturity, political culture and rhetoric worthy of a place with clear Euro-Atlantic aspirations. Every time that happened the opposite, there was a boycott, crisis, fierce debates and rhetoric and political conflicts, the same political actors embraced all negative vices of traditional rejectionist denigrating policy in the Balkans. The latter increasingly labeled by the media, by the politicians, by observer groups, researchers or international relations, as politics with negative source, oriental, eastern, so basically the opposite of the cultural identity claimed from the Albanians during the century.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides the historical context of the "East-West" dichotomy in Albanian identity and introduces the transition period's reliance on Western models.
Integrating aspirations vs. integrating culture: Discusses the emergence of the integration myth and the superficial adoption of European standards that were imposed rather than internalized.
Local Vision vs. willingness to Europe: Analyzes the creation of a parallel political system where rhetoric mimics Western models while actual political behavior remains rooted in traditional, often anti-democratic practices.
Expectations from the elites vs. responsibility to elites: Explores the disconnect between political elites and citizens, highlighting how elites have misused the European integration agenda to legitimize their own power.
West as a merit vs. West as a gift: Examines how the perception of Western support as a "gift" rather than a merit-based system distorts the genuine democratic development of the country.
Accidental suit vs. oriental mentality: Investigates the dual political behavior and the use of labeling as a tool for political attacks, reflecting a complex struggle between identity and pragmatic politics.
Conclusions: Summarizes that the transition is marked by a dual system of Western programs and Eastern implementation, reflecting a society still in the unfinished stage of political formulation.
Keywords
Albania, transition, political parties, political behavior, European integration, Western model, Oriental mentality, political discourse, democratization, elite behavior, identity, democracy, reform process, political culture, Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this research paper?
The paper fundamentally focuses on the transition process in Albania, specifically the contrast between the country's proclaimed Western orientation and the underlying persistence of Eastern political mentalities and behaviors.
What are the primary thematic fields covered in the work?
The core themes include the analysis of political culture, the role of political elites, the instrumentalization of European integration, and the dichotomy between formal Western-style rhetoric and actual political practices.
What is the primary research objective?
The objective is to analyze how the Albanian political elite has utilized Western integration goals as a facade while maintaining traditional, often obstructive political behaviors, thereby delaying genuine democratic progress.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The paper utilizes a comparative and analytical approach, contrasting political programs and rhetoric with daily political activities, elite decisions, and historical developments in Albania since the 1990s.
What topics are explored in the main body?
The main body examines the evolution of the identity debate, the failure to fully adopt Western merit systems, the disconnect between elites and citizens, and the dual nature of political communication during election campaigns.
Which keywords characterize the work?
The work is characterized by terms such as Albanian transition, political duality, European integration, political elites, Western versus Eastern models, and democratic consolidation.
How does the author define the "political duality" in Albania?
The author defines it as the coexistence of Western constitutional forms and rhetoric with an underlying "Oriental" or traditional despotic mentality in terms of practical decision-making and administrative corruption.
What role do the political elites play in the integration process according to the text?
According to the author, the political elites act as the primary gatekeepers who have misused the goal of EU integration to maintain their own power, often paying only lip service to the required standards.
- Arbeit zitieren
- PhD Afrim Krasniqi (Autor:in), 2014, Albanian Transition. The Contrast between Eastern Mentality and European Identity, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/274850
