Albanian Transition - the Contrast Between Eastern Mentality and European Identity

Interdisplinary Journal of Research and Development “Alexander Moisiu“ University, Durrës, Albania Vol (I), No.1, 2014 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ RESEARCH ARTICLE Albanian transition - the contrast between eastern mentality and european identity Afrim Krasniqi “Alexander Moisiu” University, Durrës, Albania Coresponding author: E-mail: [email protected] Abstract During the last two decades leading Albanian political actors have developed political activity based on two parallel indicator: western formal models and marketing electoral programs, as well as eastern oriental model in the way they have designed and developed policy, elections, internal democracy and public discourse. Being correct to western formal models came as foreign imposition, as needed impersonation in terms of lack of experience and practical knowledge, as well as the response of major civic expectations. The conclusion of this material is that we are dealing with continuous coexistence between Western model in programs and eastern model in practical implementation of these programs. Practical application of a parallel political system, in values, methods and political discourse was due to domestic consumption needs, fragility in the formation of political culture, local recognition of the dominant methods in politics and the pursuit of short-term political goals. This thesis paper aims to analyze the formal western presentation of the two main political parties and their leaders during the transition, and to make this analysis in comparative relation to feeds and real features in daily political activity. Part of the study are the programs and the most important political positions, international relations associated with the level of democracy and the role of political parties in shaping a democratic, professional studies in the field of political behavior and political discourse. Keywords: parties, political behavior, identity, political discourse, West, East Introduction In Albanian politics the concept "East - West" has a dual popular pens of public debate, Kadare and Xhaferi, on explanation: as a European political map split by ideological Western affiliation of the old and new Albanian identity boundaries of the Cold War, and under the historical Kadare protects fully convinced Western identity, but division between western and oriental cultures inherited meanwhile, does not hesitate to say that "our modest country from the division made during the beginning of the last is now in that area which is called as the outer court of century with the fall two great empires, the Ottoman and Europe [2]. Austro Hungarian. In the first explanation there is no Another minority defended the position between two dilemma that Albania has been one of the most fanatical cultures and two identities, i.e. a society and nation of mixed countries of the communist east, with a unique pattern identity, between East and West. At the core of these within this part of Europe. In the second explanation exist debates, despite the 70 to 80 years distance, the differences different opinions but the most dominant one is that of between public and historical argument are minimal, the western view of affiliation. The debate over the second arguments are the same and the Albanian case is seen as an identity began in the ‘30s with Konica, Maloki, Fishta, exception case in other regional models, especially Slavic Frasheri, Noli, etc. and reached one of the roofs of the neighbors to the north, east and southeast. Albanian elite debate of the first half of the last century. Integrating aspirations vs. integrating culture Each of them defended the thesis that Albanians culturally, The debate over political identity was left out of the political politically and geographically belong to Occidental Western changes that happened during the 1990. The dilemma of civilization. These were harsh criticism of oriental models, identity and the striving for a unique identity, outside two in which "the politician sees the world as an inexhaustible assumed identities, was unified with the view of the source of tools, hobbies and prettiness and uses them in outgoing regime, according to which , "Albania was neither every way and method" that for his ideals has “armchair and east nor west " (Alia , 1990), that’s why it deserved a special chunks” and in order to reach them "he uses every tool" [1]. treatment by institutions and Western countries. Dilemma After the fall of the Iron Curtain and the opening to the thesis was seen as an alibi of the regime for refusing integration processes the debate about identity returned, now democratization, liberalization and allowing multiparty in an environment with different flows and interest. Even in system. By achieving pluralism this alibi fell and young this case dominant is the thesis protected by the most politicians dominating the public rhetoric changed dictionary, trying to seek more and more Europe as an 62 Albanian transition - the contrast between … A.Krasniqi __________________________________________________________________________________________________ identity, as a project, as a community and belonging. This is individual, of the confront to the won liberties and the the reason why in the first political programs of pluralism controversial limits of its misuse. each political party referred to the European integration Lack of political will and determination to follow 100 % the processes as long-term aspiration and national interest. This Western model, western practice and behavior in active is why the main student’s slogans in 1990 was: "Albania like politics emerges even in the confronting of the balance Europe”, implying that prohibited Europe in the image, between normality and conflict periods. Transition testified system, behavior and culture, along the half- century period that whenever politics was in dialogue, cooperation, of the east communist regime. compromise and mutual respect political actors showed All this process has a common indicator: the apparent lack maturity, political culture and rhetoric worthy of a place of experience, democratic tradition and of clarity in concepts with clear Euro-Atlantic aspirations. Every time that how Albania will become like Europe. More than two happened the opposite, there was a boycott, crisis, fierce generations of citizens were born and raised in anti- debates and rhetoric and political conflicts, the same European concept, the unity of the West with the enemy, the political actors embraced all negative vices of traditional evil, threat and the source of the potential assimilation. The rejectionist denigrating policy in the Balkans. The latter same generations would find it difficult to separate from this increasingly labeled by the media, by the politicians, by culture of thinking and being something that they were not observer groups, researchers or international relations, as and could not have been so as devotees of the West. politics with negative source, oriental, eastern, so basically At the stage when the country was faced with the demands the opposite of the cultural identity claimed from the of the integration process, then emerged the big gaps and Albanians during the century. misunderstandings. Integration aspirations were not enough, Because the transition is dominated more by the second form achievement and standards were needed but Albanian of political behavior, it has managed to be imposed more as politics was neither capable nor prepared to meet them. an identity of political culture of the Albanian political elite. That’s why the integration process, in the first phase came in The ambassador of Denmark, Karsten Jensen, one of the the form of imposed standards and projects, that were ready most stable and old European democracies illustrates better and imitated by other former communist countries, in an and more directly this feature of the Albanian politics: effort to meet the great expectations of citizens. The political "Albanian politics lacks appreciation for the common actors imitated in details their counterparts in other interest, so necessary for Albania to have success ... Politics countries. For example, the first programs of political parties is focused on individual and personal interests. Think about are translations, phrases for foreign politics, human rights it! How often do you hear a politician talk about Albanian and rule of law are also similar, anticommunist political national interest, and for the good of the country? Albanian speeches were in fashion everywhere, rallies and militant politics is about DP, SP, ISM and many other abbreviations behavior of the electorate were also expected. that make up the view of Albanian politics, and more often The disappointment of local politics by citizens about those who personify these abbreviations. It is rarely paradoxically, created a climate of dependency on heard that Albanian politicians express their opinions and integration , thus increasing integration myth , a myth that is their visions for Albania as a nation and what can all not criticized , not rejected , not debated and there is no Albanians or future generations benefit". doubt on it. This made infinitely acceptable, the need for In support of this critical process came the fact that the West intervention from outside. Rarely could have happened in a itself constantly changed its level of presentation in the former communist country, that western political, national

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