The Society for Albanian Studies is issuing a call for papers for its panel on “Electoral change and democratic consolidation in Albania and Kosovo,” to be organized at the 2014 Convention of the Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies (ASEEES). The 2014 Convention of ASEEES will be held November 20-23, 2014, in San Antonio, Texas.
SAS invites submissions for a panel that will discuss the process and outcome of the 2013 national elections in Albania and the 2013 municipal elections in Kosovo. The 2013 national elections in Albania have brought important electoral shifts, including the return to power of the Socialist Party of Albania after eight years of rule by the Democratic Party, creating new expectations for the country’s struggle against corruption, policies for economic development, and progress towards accession into the European Union (EU). In Kosovo, the results of local elections witnessed dramatic shake-ups and transfers of political power at the municipal level, indicating changing voting trends and more demanding voter expectations of incumbents and political parties. The local elections in Kosovo also saw the successful organization of municipal elections in the Serb-dominated municipalities of northern Kosovo, creating new prospects and challenges for interethnic relations in Kosovo. We invite paper submissions for this panel that deal with any of the following questions:
- address the role of the most recent elections in Albania and/or Kosovo in shaping short-term and long-term political trends in these states;
- study electoral trends and changing electorates in any one or in both states;
- explore the impact of the most recent elections on the consolidation of democratic institutions at the national and/or local level;
- examine the role of political parties, civil society, the media, and other actors in framing issues, in shaping voter expectations, and in voter mobilization;
interpret what the conduct and outcome of the elections indicate about changing political cultures and voter expectations in these states; - examine the impact of municipal elections in Kosovo on interethnic relations and the integration of the Serbian minority and relations with Serbia in the context of EU-led negotiations;
study the impacts of the elections and related political processes on EU integration in the region.
Graduate students are especially encouraged to submit papers. Papers that examine electoral changes in Albania and/or Kosovo from a comparative regional perspective are especially welcome.
Those interested in having their papers considered for the panel must submit an abstract outlining their paper proposal in no more than 300 words, as well as full name, contact information, and institutional affiliation to Elton Skendaj, no later than January 10th, 2014.
Selected papers will be notified of acceptance. Participation at the 2014 ASEEES Convention in San Antonio will be expected of those whose paper proposals are accepted.
The Society for Albanian Studies 