ABSTRACT

In the early 1990s, the Western Balkans were the scene of prolonged and bloody inter-ethnic wars. Numerous issues remain unresolved; Bosnia is a dysfunctional state; Kosovo a disputed territory; Macedonia a fragile republic, however, it is hard now to imagine the renewal of inter-state armed conflict.

Investigating the causes and mechanisms driving peaceful transformation in the Balkans, this book examines developments in the region and contributes to discussions on security community building. Focusing on how different professional communities work together in the creation of regional peace and security, it sheds new light on how diplomats, policemen, soldiers and others brought about the transformation from conflict to peace through their everyday practices.

Conducted collaboratively by a research community based within the region, this volume will be highly relevant to scholars and researchers studying the Balkans, regional security, security communities and policymakers.

chapter 1|12 pages

Professional practices of security community building

Theoretical introduction

chapter 2|15 pages

Diplomacy and the integration of the Western Balkans

Evidence from Albanian diplomats

chapter 3|13 pages

From community of practice to security community in the Western Balkans

A role for the armed forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina

chapter 4|16 pages

Community of practice among Western Balkan police services in Montenegro

National politics vs. professionalism

chapter 5|15 pages

The police profession in Kosovo

Caught in the quagmire between politics and a regional security community

chapter 7|13 pages

Norms and sovereignty

Regional security cooperation in the Macedonian Police

chapter 8|20 pages

International policy networks and security community building

The case of the Partnership for Peace Consortium

chapter 9|17 pages

Conclusion

Security communities of practice between national and regional fields