Transnationalism in the Balkans Conference

LSE, 26 - 27.11.2004

Transnationalism in the Balkans: The Emergence, Nature and Impact
of Cross-national Linkages on an Enlarged and Enlarging Europe

The future successful incorporation of the Balkans into an
enlarged Europe does not only hinge on the successful political
and economic transition, but also on the region's
transnationalisation. The concept of transnationalism is regarded
as a crucial conceptual and empirical bridge tying the
heterogeneous Europe into a functioning and workable political
and geographic whole through the creation of cross-border
linkages that foster cooperation despite the persisting
differences.
Transnationalisation implies the emergence of cross-national
linkages of political, cultural, economic and security nature.
The creation of such linkages is itself a sign of the on-going
process of the post-Communist transformation, but also a
catalyst, if not a guarantor, of the sustenance of transformation
of post-Communist states and societies. The removal of the
top-down omnipresent state control allows the emergence of a
multitude of interests, and the politics based on it, shaping the
domestic political sphere. However, it has also allowed for the
pursuit of interests and politics at a transnational scale: be it
in a form of cultural exchanges, creation of regional economic
arrangements, or designing of new frameworks for security
enhancement, etc. Transnationalism creates another mode and scale
of national politics that transcends the national scale but does
not deny it. On the contrary, by providing for a new level of
politics and identity, and, more importantly, by tying politics,
economics, security,
and, even, identity to extra-national structures,
transnationalisation also stimulates further European integration
of post-Communist societies.
The objective of this conference is to analyse from a
multi-disciplinary and an international perspective the ongoing
process of transnationalisation of the Balkans on the path of its
integration in Europe - politically, economically, culturally,
but, also in security terms. It aims to offer insight into the
impact of the multitude of transnational links that have
flourished since the fall of Milosevic in October 2000, both
those promoting greater stability and those undermining it, such
as transnational networks, across the region.
Abstracts should not exceed 250 words and should be sent to Dr
Denisa Kostovovicova at d.kostovicova@lse.ac.uk
Deadline for abstract submission: 31 July 2004