ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the impact of the UN-led statebuilding efforts on internal aspects of Kosovo's statehood, more particularly on its political economy. It argues that statebuilding efforts in Kosovo have been shaped by three overlapping perspectives on the challenge posed by Kosovo: first, that it is an ethnic conflict, second, that it is a rule of law problem, and, third, that renewed instability and violence would challenge the international statebuilding efforts and the legitimacy and credibility of the international statebuilding actors. Each perspective is associated with specific political and institutional choices in the statebuilding process. The chapter highlights how these perspectives have affected donor priorities. It examines the implications this has had for the character of the Kosovar state that has emerged since the declaration of independence. The chapter highlights that in the midst of substantial change in Kosovo, important aspects of its political economy have persisted, and at times have even been reinforced by international statebuilding policies.
