The Europeanization of Party Politics in the Western Balkans: Call for Papers. UACES Annual Conference 1-3 September 2014 in Cork, Ireland The Europeanization of Party Politics in the Western Balkans Panel Organisers: Dr Jelena Džankić, European University Institute Dr Soeren Keil, Canterbury Christ Church University The region of the Western Balkans (including Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania) has undergone numerous transitions in recent years. Conflict ridden societies were re-built, and semi-authoritarian regimes have changed towards democratic governance (or at least façade-democracies). Most importantly, the integration of these countries into the European Union has resulted in fundamental political, economic and societal change. While there is a growing literature on the influence of the EU in these countries, an area that has not been explored so far in detail is the relationship between Europeanization (here understood as the adoption of EU rules and norms in light of the region’s accession to the EU) and party politics. There is evidence in numerous countries that EU policies have influenced party politics and party system changes. The most obvious case is Serbia, where the EU has strongly supported the DS and former President Boris Tadić, but where the incentive of EU membership has also resulted in a split (and the final diminishing) of the Radical Party. In other countries there has been less drastic change (Montenegro, Macedonia), but political elites have nevertheless had to engage with EU integration and progress towards membership in the EU as a key tool of political legitimacy. Hence, we are interested in in the following questions: 1. How has the process of EU integration influenced party politics in the Western Balkans? 2. How have political parties and elites used EU integration (and the lack thereof) as tools of political legitimacy, both towards their own citizens and towards the EU itself? 3. How has the process of Europeanization influenced party system change? 4. How has the process of Europeanization influenced the behaviour of different parties/elites internally and externally? 5. What positive and negative effects of change can be observed in party politics in light of the process of EU integration in the region? We invite paper proposals between 300 and 500 words. We are particularly interested in comparative perspectives, but will also consider single case studies. All paper proposals should also include: A 100-150 word short biographical statement (please do not send full CVs!) Full contact details including Email address and current position Please note, the organisers are not able to provide any financial assistance to participate in the conference. It is planned to publish selected papers. All paper proposals (300-500 words), biographical statements (100-150 words) and full contact details should be Emailed in ONE document to keil.soeren@gmail The deadline is Friday, December 20th 2013. All selected paper givers will be contacted after Christmas/ New Year in early 2014. For more information about the conference visit: uaces.org/events/conferences/cork/ For any further information about the panel and potential proposals, please contact Dr Soeren Keil at keil.soeren@gmail We are looking forward to receiving your proposals! Soeren Keil and Jelena Džankić
Posted on: Wed, 30 Oct 2013 15:38:45 +0000