Democracy and state building in contemporary politics: The cases of North Macedonia and Serbia

Abstract

The subject of state-building and democracy has gradually come into prevalence after the end of II World War. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia this two concepts gained much popularity. In the following essay we will first analyse (briefly) democracy and state building; and then examine the two case studies that were selected for this paper: North Macedonia and Serbia. They are neighboring states that have similar qualities and history; however, they diverge in some regards. North Macedonia multi-ethnic background caused divisions that affected its political and economic development to succeed; it state-building, democracy-making and peace-keeping were only partly met, having to focus simultaneously on the three, marking it a hybrid democracy. On the other hand, Serbia’s autocratic and nationalistic tendencies favored it a strong state, which, however, negated any democratization efforts and weakening its democratic institutions leading it to be characterized as a flawed democracy. Nevertheless, each country is found striving to improve and overcome the faults of the past. Balkans are still a land full of opportunities eager to change; though without the the support of the E.U. it would be difficult to succeed in this task.