The world today faces profound challenges—global security, climate change, trade imbalances, democratization, legal uncertainties, epidemics, failed states, and terrorism—all threatening humanity’s progress and well-being. The Balkans, shaped by these global currents throughout history, remains deeply interconnected with broader political, historical, and cultural transformations. Despite the region’s progress in institutional development and cooperation over the last quarter-century, its journey toward integration with global norms and institutions continues.
This volume explores the dynamic and complex history of the Balkans, delving into its ethnic and religious diversity and the profound impact of nation-state building and imperial dissolutions over the past two centuries. Recent research has expanded beyond traditional nationalist and state-centric narratives, embracing cultural studies, women’s issues, migrations, micro-history, biographies, and socio-economic structures. These fresh perspectives are vital for fostering a research culture that can contribute to the region’s growth and global integration.
The Balkans: Politics, History, and Society is a remarkable collection of revised works presented by emerging scholars from across the region at the 4th Balkan Studies Congress, held in Sarajevo in September 2024. The book, edited by Sevba Abdula, consists of 24 articles that were presented at the Congress in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is organized into 6 chapters, each focusing on a specific research area: History, Politics, Society, Religion, Women, Periodicals, Memories, Literature, and the Ottoman Empire in the Balkan Region. Covering topics such as politics, literature, Ottoman studies, women’s issues, periodicals, biographies, and religion, this edition aims to enrich Balkan studies and inspire future research.
