Research Article

Evaluating EU Democracy Promotion Efforts in the Western Balkans: The Case of the Republic of Serbia

Volume: 24 Number: 1 June 2, 2025
TR EN

Evaluating EU Democracy Promotion Efforts in the Western Balkans: The Case of the Republic of Serbia

Abstract

The European Union (EU) has consistently positioned itself as a committed normative power, dedicated to the promotion of liberal democratic values both within its borders and beyond. In this context, promotion of democracy stands as a fundamental objective of its foreign policy, and it leverages a variety of tools to exert influence. The post-Socialist Balkans serves as a critical testing ground for the EU's efforts in this domain. Since the early 2000s, the Union has embarked on a dual process of Europeanisation and post-conflict transformation within the region where the state of democracy remains still problematic. This article provides an evaluation of the EU's democracy promotion policy in the Republic of Serbia. Recognizing the EU’s limited success in democratizing the Republic of Serbia, it delves into the underlying reasons for the shortcomings. The analysis posits that the EU's failure in Serbia can be attributed to three primary factors: an inconsistent approach, a shifting focus during crises, and the impact of opportunistic actors.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

European Union

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

March 12, 2025

Publication Date

June 2, 2025

Submission Date

July 10, 2024

Acceptance Date

December 12, 2024

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 24 Number: 1

APA
Pelit, S., & Önsoy, M. (2025). Evaluating EU Democracy Promotion Efforts in the Western Balkans: The Case of the Republic of Serbia. Ankara Avrupa Çalışmaları Dergisi, 24(1), 161-194. https://doi.org/10.32450/aacd.1513847
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