A book review
"Albania and the European Union: A tumultuous Journey towards Integration and Accession", written by Mirela Bogdani and John Loughlin, and published by I. B. Tauris (London - New York).
By Merita B. McCormack
Published at Illyria Newspaper, New York, 31 August 2007
Is it going to be 2010? 2020? Or maybe earlier then that, maybe 2014?
These are the years of the future when Albania may be able to see itself as an EU member. Is it really going to happen? Probably. Why is it not happening earlier?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Albania joining the EU, what are the obstacles for integration and accession? What favors the process?
These and many more questions are analyzed and clearly answered in
"Albania and the European Union: A tumultuous Journey towards Integration and Accession", written by Mirela Bogdani and John Loughlin, and published by I.B.Tauris (London - New York).
The book opens with theoretical and contextual issues by stating the
meaning of nation-state and the definition of the European Union, and by going into details describing the most influential theories of the
European Integration.
A detailed and well written history of Albania in 1990-s follows in
chapter two. This explains the crossroads between Communism and Democracy and analyzes in great detail and very objectively Albania at the eve of democracy. Elez Biberaj is quoted at the opening of this chapter: "The Albanian road to democracy is strewn with land mines in the form of cumulative political, economic and social legacies of Hoxha Communist dictatorship, which made genuine democratization seem almost impossible".
"Albania and the European Union: A tumultuous Journey towards Integration and Accession", written by Mirela Bogdani and John Loughlin, and published by I.B.Tauris (London - New York).
The book opens with theoretical and contextual issues by stating the
meaning of nation-state and the definition of the European Union, and by going into details describing the most influential theories of the
European Integration.
A detailed and well written history of Albania in 1990-s follows in
chapter two. This explains the crossroads between Communism and Democracy and analyzes in great detail and very objectively Albania at the eve of democracy. Elez Biberaj is quoted at the opening of this chapter: "The Albanian road to democracy is strewn with land mines in the form of cumulative political, economic and social legacies of Hoxha Communist dictatorship, which made genuine democratization seem almost impossible".
A statement that says it all! The authors elaborate on political,
historical, economic and cultural legacies of the past, beginning with the Ottoman empire and ending with the communist period.
Meeting the Copenhagen Criteria is a separate chapter that "grills" the
transition period as one of most important steps of Albania toward
integration into the EU. The domestic political and socio-economic current situation is analysed in depth, focusing on the elections, public administration, rule of law and judicial system. In the economic area the authors point out that they are two sides of the Albanian economy: a miracle macro-economy and a poor real micro-economy. Authors emphasise that many changes have happened in these areas, but the reforms still proceed very slowly and changes are mainly cosmetic. The incorporation of acquis communitaire and its 35 negotiation chapters are analyzed further.
historical, economic and cultural legacies of the past, beginning with the Ottoman empire and ending with the communist period.
Meeting the Copenhagen Criteria is a separate chapter that "grills" the
transition period as one of most important steps of Albania toward
integration into the EU. The domestic political and socio-economic current situation is analysed in depth, focusing on the elections, public administration, rule of law and judicial system. In the economic area the authors point out that they are two sides of the Albanian economy: a miracle macro-economy and a poor real micro-economy. Authors emphasise that many changes have happened in these areas, but the reforms still proceed very slowly and changes are mainly cosmetic. The incorporation of acquis communitaire and its 35 negotiation chapters are analyzed further.
Ensuring approximation of EU legislation and applying it are the two
emphasized challenges that Albania faces in this area. The authors
conclude that Albania is still far from fulfilling the Copenhagen Criteria
and a lot of work needs to be done.
A specific and important place in this long and enriching chapter takes
the Albanian religious issue. The concept of EU as a "Christian Club" has raised many eyebrows for EU membership for Turkey and other Muslim countries. Authors, one of them a native Albanian, have given a true picture of what is really going on religious way in Albania and what is the real religion in Albania. What faith dominates and why? What are the real statistics and what are the trends of embracing Christian Faith? And most importantly, does religion represent an obstacle for Albania's chances of accession, as in the case of Turkey? This is a very hot topic today in both European informal and official debates and a "thorny issue" of the EU Enlargement Policy.
Western Balkans and the SAP regional framework are analyzed later in the book, pointing out that each of the 6 WB countries are at different stages of the accession journey, but they are all "passengers of the same train", they have a clear destination, the EU membership, which will be achieved on merit-basis only when they fulfil all the Copenhagen Criteria. The other important goal, the NATO membership, is also analysed briefly. The statement"Future of Albania lies with the EU" closes that chapter.
Political system of post communism takes place ? in a separate chapter as to bring into light the successes and failures of the Albanian political class. Parties, coalitions, and other issues, such as internal party democracy, parties' funding, etc, are also analysed in this chapter.
Corruption, one of the main obstacles for Albania's EU integration, and
other phenomenons like clientelism, nepotism and most importantly the organised crime, are subjected to an objective and open critique. They point out that corruption and bribery have affected every cell of life, but especially in public administration, judicial system and customs. The organised crime is very difficult to combat as the criminal individuals are in many cases connected with the politics and protected by politicians. The authors list facts, refer to certain events and previous works and have themselves very well observed the situation, closely monitoring Albanian society development as a whole and subsequently drawing well sounded conclusions on the issues.
The role of the elite and domestic actors is developed and analyzed in
chapter eight. This is the largest by detail and one of the most important chapters of the book, as it gives a proper insight of why and how Albania is this country on the world map today. Authors should be prepared to receive pats on their backs just for this particular well written chapter.
emphasized challenges that Albania faces in this area. The authors
conclude that Albania is still far from fulfilling the Copenhagen Criteria
and a lot of work needs to be done.
A specific and important place in this long and enriching chapter takes
the Albanian religious issue. The concept of EU as a "Christian Club" has raised many eyebrows for EU membership for Turkey and other Muslim countries. Authors, one of them a native Albanian, have given a true picture of what is really going on religious way in Albania and what is the real religion in Albania. What faith dominates and why? What are the real statistics and what are the trends of embracing Christian Faith? And most importantly, does religion represent an obstacle for Albania's chances of accession, as in the case of Turkey? This is a very hot topic today in both European informal and official debates and a "thorny issue" of the EU Enlargement Policy.
Western Balkans and the SAP regional framework are analyzed later in the book, pointing out that each of the 6 WB countries are at different stages of the accession journey, but they are all "passengers of the same train", they have a clear destination, the EU membership, which will be achieved on merit-basis only when they fulfil all the Copenhagen Criteria. The other important goal, the NATO membership, is also analysed briefly. The statement"Future of Albania lies with the EU" closes that chapter.
Political system of post communism takes place ? in a separate chapter as to bring into light the successes and failures of the Albanian political class. Parties, coalitions, and other issues, such as internal party democracy, parties' funding, etc, are also analysed in this chapter.
Corruption, one of the main obstacles for Albania's EU integration, and
other phenomenons like clientelism, nepotism and most importantly the organised crime, are subjected to an objective and open critique. They point out that corruption and bribery have affected every cell of life, but especially in public administration, judicial system and customs. The organised crime is very difficult to combat as the criminal individuals are in many cases connected with the politics and protected by politicians. The authors list facts, refer to certain events and previous works and have themselves very well observed the situation, closely monitoring Albanian society development as a whole and subsequently drawing well sounded conclusions on the issues.
The role of the elite and domestic actors is developed and analyzed in
chapter eight. This is the largest by detail and one of the most important chapters of the book, as it gives a proper insight of why and how Albania is this country on the world map today. Authors should be prepared to receive pats on their backs just for this particular well written chapter.
Government, Parliament, President and other structures of governing bodies in Albania are analyzed in detail. Dr. Bogdani's previous involvement in the Albanian party politics and her experience in the Albanian Public Administration have tremendously helped to gain such a sound knowledge and to further evaluate in a very realistic and impartial way the situation in Albania in these areas. The "brain drain" is brought to the attention of the reader as an unfortunate phenomenon that has happened to Albania during the years of transition and the causes of these phenomena are analysed. The country's elite both during communism and in transition period is analysed. Unfortunately, the handful of rich and intellectual people that emerged at the end of the War World II were crushed and
jailed, properties confiscated, leaving thus a huge gap between the
dictator's clique and the broad masses. The authors emphasize that if any intelligentsia survived, that was mainly concentrated in Tirana, country's Capital. A well-known exiled Albanian political analyst, Shinasi Rama, is quoted when today's "elite" is defined. It is with sadness a true fact that the today's Albanian elite is not even close to any nobility feature, as Mr.Rama states.
The country's local government bodies are shown in its history, since
communism, followed by the current days' role and future challenges that the local government structure face.
In the book is emphasised the great role that the EU is playing for
Albania in three directions: firstly through the prospect of EU
membership, which provides an incentive for carrying out domestic reforms, secondly the concrete processes of SAP and SAA and thirdly the financial assistance and programs (past, present and future ones). This and other external factors, such as the Globalisation, the influence of other CEE countries, the USA, Albanian Diaspora are called to attention in the last chapter.
The concept, the reality and the prospect of the "Greater Albania" (or
"Ethnic Albania", "Pan-Albanism"), as well as the "Future of Kosovo
issue", are objectively and extensively reviewed and analyzed in the book. Authors conclude that the question of "Greater Albania" should be seen under the full light of prospective future accession of Albania, Kosova, other Albanian territories in neighbouring countries, and all Balkan countries into the EU.
As a conclusion, authors point out that many obstacles and challenges remain, but the factor they blame the most is the Albanian political class, who with its incompetence, irresponsibility and selfishness, is the main obstacle for Albania's journey towards the EU. They argue that what will make this journey shorter and less bumpy and what Albania really needs is a new political class, a new generation of leaders, equipped with real democratic principles and values of integrity, decency and honesty, committed and willing to sacrifice and make a difference for their country and its citizens, for a country and a nation which deserves more and has lost a lot of time.
A well written book. Well researched and very interesting, that has been needed long time ago. It could be of interest for a quite a wide range of audience and I think this book should be in the shelves of every foreign scholar, professional or official that is involved in Albanian issues.
jailed, properties confiscated, leaving thus a huge gap between the
dictator's clique and the broad masses. The authors emphasize that if any intelligentsia survived, that was mainly concentrated in Tirana, country's Capital. A well-known exiled Albanian political analyst, Shinasi Rama, is quoted when today's "elite" is defined. It is with sadness a true fact that the today's Albanian elite is not even close to any nobility feature, as Mr.Rama states.
The country's local government bodies are shown in its history, since
communism, followed by the current days' role and future challenges that the local government structure face.
In the book is emphasised the great role that the EU is playing for
Albania in three directions: firstly through the prospect of EU
membership, which provides an incentive for carrying out domestic reforms, secondly the concrete processes of SAP and SAA and thirdly the financial assistance and programs (past, present and future ones). This and other external factors, such as the Globalisation, the influence of other CEE countries, the USA, Albanian Diaspora are called to attention in the last chapter.
The concept, the reality and the prospect of the "Greater Albania" (or
"Ethnic Albania", "Pan-Albanism"), as well as the "Future of Kosovo
issue", are objectively and extensively reviewed and analyzed in the book. Authors conclude that the question of "Greater Albania" should be seen under the full light of prospective future accession of Albania, Kosova, other Albanian territories in neighbouring countries, and all Balkan countries into the EU.
As a conclusion, authors point out that many obstacles and challenges remain, but the factor they blame the most is the Albanian political class, who with its incompetence, irresponsibility and selfishness, is the main obstacle for Albania's journey towards the EU. They argue that what will make this journey shorter and less bumpy and what Albania really needs is a new political class, a new generation of leaders, equipped with real democratic principles and values of integrity, decency and honesty, committed and willing to sacrifice and make a difference for their country and its citizens, for a country and a nation which deserves more and has lost a lot of time.
A well written book. Well researched and very interesting, that has been needed long time ago. It could be of interest for a quite a wide range of audience and I think this book should be in the shelves of every foreign scholar, professional or official that is involved in Albanian issues.
Every foreign government body that has engaged itself in projects with Albania should use this book as a very good source of valuable information regarding Albania and the Balkans. The greatest importance of this book is that it is (along with its previous version) the first book which analyses the relationship between the EU and Albania and its accession and integration process.
Congratulations to the authors. The book is available at www.amazon.com
Congratulations to the authors. The book is available at www.amazon.com
Merita Bajraktari McCormack, BSc, MBA
Long Island, New York, USA
Long Island, New York, USA
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