Open AccessModernization mixed with nationalism
Author(s) -
Kоnstаntin Nikiforov
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
balcanica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2406-0801
pISSN - 0350-7653
DOI - 10.2298/balc1445443n
Subject(s) - modernization theory , backwardness , nationalism , political science , politics , political economy , soviet union , law , sociology , economic growth , economics
This essay reflects on a particular manner in which modernisation have taken place in the Balkans in modern history, from the 1878 Berlin Congress onwards. The Balkan countries faced twofold difficulties in their development: they had to overcome their backwardness stemming from the centuries of the Ottoman yoke and catch up with modern Western Europe, and resolve their numerous mutual territorial and political disputes. The latter task was especially difficult due to the constant interference in Balkan affairs on the part of Great Powers. This interference further aggravated nationalistic tensions between the Balkan states. The peculiar mixture of modernisation efforts and nationalism remains to this day when the entire region strives to join the European Union