Evaluating EU Democracy Promotion Efforts in the Western Balkans: The Case of the Republic of Serbia

Authors : Simge Pelit, Murat Önsoy

Pages : 161-194

Doi:10.32450/aacd.1513847

View : 174 | Download : 246

Publication Date : 2025-06-02

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The European Union (EU) has consistently positioned itself as a committed normative power, dedicated to the promotion of liberal democratic values both within its borders and beyond. In this context, promotion of democracy stands as a fundamental objective of its foreign policy, and it leverages a variety of tools to exert influence. The post-Socialist Balkans serves as a critical testing ground for the EU\\\'s efforts in this domain. Since the early 2000s, the Union has embarked on a dual process of Europeanisation and post-conflict transformation within the region where the state of democracy remains still problematic. This article provides an evaluation of the EU\\\'s democracy promotion policy in the Republic of Serbia. Recognizing the EU’s limited success in democratizing the Republic of Serbia, it delves into the underlying reasons for the shortcomings. The analysis posits that the EU\\\'s failure in Serbia can be attributed to three primary factors: an inconsistent approach, a shifting focus during crises, and the impact of opportunistic actors.
Keywords : Avrupa Birliği, Demokrasi Teşviki, liberal demokrasi, Batı Balkanlar, Sırbistan

ORIGINAL ARTICLE URL