In this discussion, the authors focus on Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and Kosovo, states where the aftermath of the wars left deep marks in (inter)personal and (inter)group relations. Theyargue that ever-lasting political, economic, societal and security challenges contribute to the rise of anxieties and put people living there under constant pressure and a sense of extraordinariness/extraordinary time. By highlighting both internal (e.g., northern Kosovo, Republika Srpska) and external (e.g., new geopolitical reality, open issues with neighbouring states) challenges, they show how current context in BiH and Kosovo is discouraging people from political life, turning them into passive citizens; such apathy in turn only serves the ruling elites, who often feel they are not accountable to anyone. This discussion is situated within the notion of post-conflict anxiety, which signals lack of predictable societal framework due to delayed institution-building process; leading to ‘normalization’ of anxieties in individuals’ day-to-day life.*
Vol. 5 No. 3, 2024: Anxious Peace Navigating Post-Conflict Challenges and EU Integration in Southeastern Europe (Kočan, Zupančič) [ENG]
Authors:
- Faris Kočan is Assistant Professor at Faculty of Social Sciences (University of Ljubljana).
- Rok Zupančič is Professor at Faculty of Social Sciences (University of Ljubljana).
* Views and opinions of the authors of this paper do not necessarily correspond to views of the Euro-Atlantic Council of Slovenia.