A critique of United States policy with special reference to Albania and the Bosnian crisis
Abstract
This study demonstrates that, in the post Cold War era, US leadership becomes more
crucial than ever. Through the adoption of a classical approach; a thorough case study
of diplomatic efforts vis-a-vis Albania coupled with America's response to the crisis in
Bosnia, highlights the weakness of US policy in the former and its outright failure in the
case of the latter. Historical analysis demonstrates that recent violent nationalism in the
Balkans did not suddenly erupt into violence. Instead, it remains dormant until such time
that power vacuums, the result of power politics, are created. Indeed, the work seeks to
show the history of Western, especially US, policy failure and short-sightedness in the
region and how past trends have invoked present failures and crises which have yet to be
remedied. The examination of US relations with Albania, shows that much more is
required in America's efforts to ensure that democracy succeeds in Albania, and that a
deeper analysis demonstrates the need for greater mutual understanding between the US
and Albania. The Bosnian crisis is an example of American and Western failure which
should not be repeated elsewhere in the region. By reviewing the tenets of American
foreign policy, the study seeks to shed light upon the theories which have dominated
current debate. The aim of such a review is to examine the trend, or trends, which have
surfaced from the foreign policy debate and, specifically, whether or not these indicate
the direction American foreign policy towards the region should be taking in the post-
Cold War era.
Type
Thesis, PhD Doctor of Philosophy
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