Showing papers in "Journal of Balkan and Near Eastern Studies in 2017"
TL;DR: The most recent global wave of democratic reversal is marked by executive takeovers as mentioned in this paper, and Politically motivated interventions in domestic markets aimed at restructuring the underlying power dynamics in the world have been common.
Abstract: The most recent global wave of democratic reversal is marked by executive takeovers. Politically motivated interventions in domestic markets aimed at restructuring the underlying power dynamics in ...
83 citations
TL;DR: Under the rule of the AKP, gender politics drew a contradictory picture as mentioned in this paper, with the conjunction of the loss of momentum in the EU membership drive and the alliance between the party's conservatism and neo-liberalism, a religio-conservative gender climate has emerged.
Abstract: Under the rule of the AKP, gender politics draws a contradictory picture Although significant legal advances have been achieved in harmony with international conventions, gender equality has not been fully attained With the conjunction of the loss of momentum in the EU membership drive and the alliance between the party’s conservatism and neo-liberalism, a religio-conservative gender climate has emerged This gender climate relies on the reconceptualization of family and motherhood in reference to religion, tradition and custom In Turkey’s strongly traditional society, these references have led to the expression of values detrimental to gender equality, unleash underlying traditional norms and limit the social absorption of legal changes
60 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors studied the impact of the ISIS attack and its political aftermath on the identity formation of Yezidis and their political ambition for a future in Iraq, a previously marginal community.
Abstract: This article studies the impact of the ISIS attack and its political aftermath on the identity formation of Yezidis and their political ambition for a future in Iraq. Yezidis, a previously marginal...
47 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, family businesses represent one of the oldest forms of business organizations, and are an important source for generating jobs generation after generation in most countries, including the US and Canada.
Abstract: Family businesses represent one of the oldest forms of business organizations. Family businesses are an important source for generating jobs generation after generation in most countries, including...
39 citations
TL;DR: A new form of populism, dominated by neither a far right nor a far-left discourse, but controlled by leading political elites in the country's government has developed in Montenegro as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Ever since it became independent in 2006, Montenegro has steadily progressed in its ambition to accede to the European Union. Even so, a new form of populism, dominated by neither a far-right nor a far-left discourse, but controlled by leading political elites in the country’s government has developed in Montenegro. This form of populism is not a mechanism of ensuring the dominance of the Democratic Party of Socialists (Demokratska Partija Socijalista Crne Gore, DPS) in Montenegro per se. Instead it is used as a tool to support and enhance other mechanisms that the party utilizes in order to stay in power and remain the dominant force in the country. Hence, we can observe the growth of a new kind of populism, a state-sponsored populist discourse that is very different from populism as understood in Western Europe. What we find in Montenegro is a government that
uses populist language and messages to support a clientelistic state system.
34 citations
TL;DR: The relationship between the state and religion established by the founding Republican regime has often had discriminatory consequences for religious plurality in Turkey as mentioned in this paper, and the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has challenged the so-called Kemalist secularism and claimed to offer a liberal alternative.
Abstract: The relationship between the state and religion established by the founding Republican regime has often had discriminatory consequences for religious plurality in Turkey. From its foundation in 1923, the state maintained a model of secularism in which religious activities and facilities were brought under state control. The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has challenged the so-called Kemalist secularism and claimed to offer a liberal alternative. However, the AKP’s policies have also remained controversial. This article focuses on how and in what direction the AKP has transformed Kemalist secularism by examining institutional transformations in the military, the Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) and the national education system. It is argued that the AKP has maintained the same authoritarian practices and institutions in relation to religious plurality. In particular, the Diyanet and compulsory religious education have been appropriated by the AKP for the purpose of executing a...
24 citations
TL;DR: In Turkey, as in most other societies without mature welfare states, social policy has acquired a novel significance in the context of the late twentieth century economic globalization and... as mentioned in this paper,.
Abstract: In Turkey, as in most other societies without mature welfare states, social policy has acquired a novel significance in the context of the late twentieth century economic globalization and ...
21 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the transformation in Turkey's political economy by focusing on state-business relations in two key economic sectors: housing and energy, and the housing sector experience was examined.
Abstract: This article examines the transformation in Turkey’s political economy by focusing on state‒business relations in two key economic sectors: housing and energy. The housing sector experience...
16 citations
TL;DR: The European Union's influence on Turkey's domestic politics has been characterized as weak due to the lack of credible accession perspective as mentioned in this paper, however, Turkey's adoption of an asylum law in 2013, which meets almost all demands of the EU, points to the EU's continuing influence in this policy area.
Abstract: The European Union’s (EU) influence on Turkey’s domestic politics has been characterized as weak due to the lack of credible accession perspective. However, Turkey’s adoption of an asylum law in 2013, which meets almost all demands of the EU, points to the EU’s continuing influence in this policy area. The majority of the academic experts in our online survey considered the EU accession process as crucial factor for the adoption of the law. Our interviews with officials from the Turkish government and the European Commission reveal how the EU impacted on the drafting process. EU-financed twinning projects in this policy area contributed to the creation of new institutions and to the socialization of actors, both leading to a more conducive environment for reform.
16 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss rural and urban mobilities and the contemporary employment migration relationship, starting from the observation of reduced rural population but maintaine e cient rural population.
Abstract: Based on original data, this article discusses rural‒urban mobilities and the contemporary employment‒migration relationship. Starting with the observation of reduced rural population but maintaine...
16 citations
TL;DR: The authors explored the continuities and changes that mark the Albanian brand of laicite, with a focus on specific solutions for managing the Islamic majority, and pointed out that home-grown interpretations of Laicite capitalize on historical precedents that proved successful in accommodating Islam, religious plurality and European statehood during the founding of the independent Albanian state.
Abstract: As a Muslim-majority and multi-denominational polity, Albania has historically searched for suitable institutional solutions to reconcile Islam with a pluralist society, a unitary nation and often fragile European statehood. The post-Communist solutions for the management of this frail plurality are commonly framed within a local tradition of laicite (Alb. shtet laik), which adapts the French model of separation between state and religion to particular Albanian goals and compromises. The analysis in this article explores the continuities and changes that mark the Albanian brand of laicite, with a focus on specific solutions for managing the Islamic majority. The analysis suggests that home-grown interpretations of laicite capitalize on historical precedents—or traditional solutions—that proved successful in accommodating Islam, religious plurality and European statehood during the founding of the independent Albanian state. Similarly to the past, post-Communist choices insist on safeguarding a loc...
TL;DR: This article explored stagnation and change in state policies towards the Muslim population in post-Communist Bulgaria and found that the state's forceful attempts to integrate Muslims have shaped a historical pattern of hostility and distrust among the state and various sections that make up the Muslim community.
Abstract: This article explores stagnation and change in state policies towards the Muslim population in post-Communist Bulgaria. The analysis focuses on the institutional reshuffling of state–mosque relations, as well as hard to change stereotypes and practices. The dynamic and persistent aspects of these relations are placed in the context of complex ethno-religious divisions, legacies of nation-state building, and new trends of Islamic revival. The analysis draws on primary and secondary sources, including a 2011 representative survey on Muslims’ attitudes. Our findings suggest that the state’s forceful attempts to ‘integrate’ Muslims have shaped a historical pattern of hostility and distrust among the state and various sections that make up the Muslim community. The post-Communist democratic regime has formalized new religious freedoms and equal treatment of different denominations. Despite substantial changes, formal and informal privileges awarded to the majority—Bulgarian Orthodox Church—complicate t...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examine the recent evolution of Turkish outward foreign direct investment together with Turkish firms' cross-border acquisitions across time, countries and industries, and show that Turkish acquisitions are mostly directed towards European countries and are concentrated more in manufacturing than in the services industry.
Abstract: The aim of this study is to examine the recent evolution of Turkish outward foreign direct investment together with Turkish firms’ cross-border acquisitions across time, countries and industries. The article suggests that macro-economic restructuring and institutional reforms, together with strengthened competition at home and globally, not only allowed but also forced Turkish firms to expand internationally. It shows that Turkish acquisitions are mostly directed towards European countries and are concentrated more in manufacturing than in the services industry. In addition, most of the acquisitions involve firms operating in low-technology manufacturing and less knowledge-intensive services. These findings imply that Turkish firms might be motivated mainly towards accessing new markets and that the acquisitions do not seem to be utilized for technological upgrading and productivity improvements.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyse the different stages and vicissitudes of such an accommodation by focusing on the evolution of the legal framework for religious freedom and equality as well as its actual implementation in practice.
Abstract: Since the collapse of Communism, and especially following the devastating war of the early 1990s, efforts to reach political consensus in Bosnia and Herzegovina have proved extremely difficult. State–church relations have in principle evaded such a destiny. Key to this has been the general, even if not always fully functional, acceptance of freedom of religion and equality as the main framework for resolving dilemmas involving the role of religion and religious practice. The state, religious entities and society at large have undergone a process of accommodating themselves to a liberal model of state–church relations, which was introduced as part of the post–war constitutional settlement. This article analyses the different stages and vicissitudes of such an accommodation by focusing on the evolution of the legal framework for religious freedom and equality as well as its actual implementation in practice.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore the difficult intersections of justice, memory and forgiveness where the present bears the traces of a violent past and the past can be traced to the present.
Abstract: Drawing its examples from the case of the former Yugoslavia, the paper explores the difficult intersections of justice, memory and forgiveness where the present bears the traces of a violent past o...
TL;DR: In this paper, the European Union Rule of Law Mission (EULEX) in Kosovo was evaluated by focusing on the most extensive civilian Conflict Prevention System (CPS) in the country.
Abstract: This article appraises effectiveness in operational conflict prevention. By focusing on the European Union Rule of Law Mission (EULEX) in Kosovo, it assesses the most extensive civilian Com...
TL;DR: In this paper, the impact of the European Union accession process on Turkish political parties is investigated, and the authors argue that political parties in Turkey have not only been immune to any organizational adaptation that may have resulted from the accession, but they have become increasingly de-Europeanized.
Abstract: This paper investigates the impact the European Union (EU) accession process has had on Turkish political parties—the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP)—as far as their internal structures and intra-party distribution of power are concerned. The paper contends that political parties in Turkey have not only been immune to any organizational adaptation that may have resulted from the accession process, but in the past decade, they have become increasingly de-Europeanized. This insularity from Europeanization impulses can be attributed to Turkey’s personalized political system and the ineffectiveness of the parliamentary institutions responsible for EU policy, especially the EU Harmonization Committee.
TL;DR: The role of ideology and particularly of national developmentalism as a long-term, deep-rooted structural dynamic shaping the fate of privatization attempts in Turkey was explored in this article.
Abstract: This paper probes into the underlying factors for the exceptionally slow progress of mass privatizations in Turkey until the first decade of the 21st century. Challenging the mainstream political economy perspectives which often interpret Turkish ‘exceptionalism’ by focusing either on rationally motivated actors articulating their interests or on flaws in the institutional infrastructure as decisive impediments, the paper emphasizes the role of ideology, and particularly of national developmentalism, as a long-term, deep-rooted structural dynamic shaping the fate of privatization attempts in the 1980s and 1990s. While they clearly triggered a strong nationalist backlash, large-scale privatizations could still be realized at a particular historical juncture when the confluence of three deep-seated social fault lines—Turkey’s integration into the global economy, the accession process to the European Union and the rise of a new bourgeoisie—prevailed over a strong ideological mindset that prevented fo...
TL;DR: Turkmenistan's foreign policy has been the subject of considerable scholarly debate since the Turkmenistan administration's attempt to acquire a neutral status and the United Nations General Assemb... as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Turkmenistan’s foreign policy has been the subject of considerable scholarly debate since the Turkmenistan administration’s attempt to acquire a neutral status and the United Nations General Assemb...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors focused on the domestic and international politics shaping the Cyprus Conflict between 1967 and 1974 and investigated the efforts of Archbishop Makarios, who tried to preserve the Cypriot independence, integrity and sovereignty by withstanding the terrorist activities of Greek-Cypriot paramilitary groups, local autonomy demands of Turkish Cyprus leadership and the interventions of Greece and Turkey.
Abstract: This paper focuses on the domestic and international politics shaping the Cyprus Conflict between 1967 and 1974 Throughout the period investigated by this paper, Archbishop Makarios tried to preserve the Cypriot independence, integrity and sovereignty by withstanding the terrorist activities of Greek Cypriot paramilitary groups, local autonomy demands of Turkish Cypriot leadership and the interventions of Greece and Turkey The anti-American Greek Cypriot Left sided with Makarios against the Greek Junta Prior to the 1974 incidents, Henry Kissinger had been informed about the internal and external threats targeting Cyprus During the 1974 crisis, he was provided sufficient information monitoring the unlikelihood of a Greco-Turkish war Under these circumstances, the US government supported the federalization of Cyprus
TL;DR: For instance, the authors argue that the history narratives about the Ukraine are heavily influenced by divergent accounts of its relationship with Russia, ranging from Kievan Rus to the Soviet Union.
Abstract: Narratives are instrumental in constructing both national and regional identities. A divided Europe produces conflicting narratives that are constructed to lay claim over privileged, if not exclusive, dominion of the shared neighbourhood. The profoundly polarized historical narratives about the Ukraine are heavily influenced by divergent accounts of its relationship with Russia, ranging from Kievan Rus to the Soviet Union. Both the West and Russia seek to encourage a particular historical narrative in Ukraine that is compatible with their interests in the region. The West emphasizes a binary division of values on the continent, endowing it with a civilizing mission to cement collective hegemony in an exclusive ‘Europe’. Russia, meanwhile, embraces a historical narrative centred on a shared ‘Russian world’ based implicitly on sovereign inequality, in which Moscow holds a privileged position.
TL;DR: The current media hype covering (undocumented) mobility to Europe produces powerful images Global media, politicians, scientists, artists and activists take part in the production of the tragic images as discussed by the authors...
Abstract: The current media hype covering (undocumented) mobility to Europe produces powerful images Global media, politicians, scientists, artists and activists take part in the production of the tragic bo
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore and analyse the prospects of economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and the BRICS countries and its possible impact on economic growth and development and highlight the potential challenges of economic integration with regional economic blocs and possible measures to overcome those barriers.
Abstract: The objective of the study is to explore and analyse the prospects of economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and the BRICS countries and its possible impact on economic growth and development. The GDP growth rates, consumer market potentials, foreign exchange reserves, and human capital and innovation aspects were considered as the main areas of potential cooperation. Based on different databases, analytical reports and the authors’ analyses, the study suggests closer economic relationships between Kazakhstan and the BRICS countries for mutual benefits. However, the study also identified the potential challenges of economic integration with regional economic blocs and possible measures to overcome those barriers. The economic policy implications are also highlighted in the conclusion. The findings of this study could encourage other countries to consider closer cooperation to accelerate mutual economic growth and development in emerging economies.
TL;DR: In this paper, a statistical analysis of regional differences at the level of the European Union, according to the Eurobarometer survey conducted in 2014, in relation to the European Economic Area, is presented.
Abstract: The present paper is based on the statistical analysis of regional differences at the level of the European Union, according to the Eurobarometer survey conducted in 2014, in relation to th...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors analyzed the social economy from the perspective of NGOs and voluntary work, and provided a description of the typical Western Region volunteer, focusing mainly on social and motivational aspects.
Abstract: This article analyses the social economy from the perspective of NGOs and voluntary work. The research was conducted on four different territorial levels in the Western Region of Romania and employed both quantitative (questionnaires administered to the general population and within NGOs, bivariate analyses) and qualitative (semi-structured interviews within NGOs) methods of analysis. This method of working has allowed a picture of NGOs and volunteering to be formed that is correlated with territorial realities in the western part of Romania. It has thus been possible to see what underlies the coming into existence of NGOs, their economic scale, and what areas they succeed in addressing. Secondly, a description is provided of the typical Western Region volunteer, focusing mainly on social and motivational aspects.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors outline the evolving institutional choices to incorporate these communities vacillated between the democratic urge for religious freedoms and equality, and the role of founding traditions and heritage of majority privileges, on the other.
Abstract: Post-Communist openings constituted the ideal foci for reimagining the relationship between the state and religion. Specifically, new opportunities were created to balance between rules of inclusion and exclusion regarding contending alternatives of a ‘good life’. In line with their new democratic aspirations, all Balkan countries have gradually reshuffled their religious policies, formalized religious freedoms, and institutionalized a more equal playing field for their respective religious communities. Realizing an all-inclusive and equal-opportunity structure for all religious denominations, however, proved neither smooth nor automatic, especially when it came to the inclusion of the historically marginalized Muslim populations. The evolving institutional choices to incorporate these communities vacillated between the democratic urge for religious freedoms and equality, on the one hand, and the role of founding traditions and heritage of majority privileges, on the other. This article outlines t...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors argue that external support or lack thereof is likely to shape insurgency outcome and that when major external actors support insurgency, the movement is more likely to succeed in pursuing its statehood agenda.
Abstract: Why do some insurgencies attain their ultimate goal of statehood while others never do? Although explanations for insurgency success based on political will, natural resources, geography or diaspora involvement have advanced our understanding of the conditions under which insurgencies are likely to succeed in pursuing their statehood agenda, they have not adequately addressed the critical role of the major external actors (e.g. USA, UK, European Union, NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)) and how significant these actors are in shaping the fate of many insurgencies around the world. In an effort to develop a model that explains insurgency outcome, this paper argues that external support or lack thereof is likely to shape insurgency outcome. When major external actors support insurgency, the movement is likely to succeed in pursuing its statehood agenda. Otherwise, the movement is likely to reconsider its political agenda if it lacks the necessary external support from major actors. This argu...
TL;DR: The targeting of very popular television personalities with no or little political involvement is not new in Turkey as discussed by the authors, but targeting of TV personalities with little or no political involvement does not seem new.
Abstract: Politicized stars being banned, investigated, detained or exiled is not new to Turkey. But targeting of very popular television personalities with no or little political involvement indicat...
TL;DR: In this paper, a special issue focusing on the political economy of economic and social policy in Turkey is presented, where the extent and the mechanisms of income and wealth distribution are discussed.
Abstract: This special issue focuses on the political economy of economic and social policy in Turkey. Economic and social policies together shape the extent and the mechanisms of income and wealth distribut...
TL;DR: In the post-socialist era, the region is re-experiencing what happened in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries due to the land grabs in the Balkans as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Current developments concerning land grabs in the Balkans suggest that the region is re-experiencing in the post-socialist era what happened in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries due to the d...