Ivan Dodovski | University American College Skopje (original) (raw)

Papers by Ivan Dodovski

CERC Working papers series No. 2 , 2008

Balkan studies have for the most part endeavoured to deconstruct western negative perceptions of ... more Balkan studies have for the most part endeavoured to deconstruct western negative perceptions of Balkan cultures so as to dismiss the pretexts made for their exclusion from the new European project. However, a few thorough efforts have been dedicated to examining the local self (and its imaginative other), perhaps assuming that there is no intricacy when one tries to conceive his professed European characteristics. In this paper we examine the spectrum of Balkan imagining of the West, and in particular that of Europe, as manifest in a number of plays written by Balkan dramatists in the 1990s and early 2000s. Three specific tropes are discerned: Europe as sanctuary, Fortress Europe, and Europe as a post-historical dystopia. Further, the nuanced Balkan perception of Europe vis-à-vis that of America is considered. The conclusion is that at the core of the Balkan dramatists’ perception lies the unease of acculturation. The contradicting imageries do not seem to be merely a corollary of the transition from one social paradigm to another, but also a sign of the emerging agency of the local subject who moves from frustration with imputed Balkanness and exalting in view of the European prospect to an attitude of scorn for western hollowness and critical deliberation on a common future for Europe and the world.

$Research paper thumbnail of Pride and Perplexities: Identity Politics in Macedonia and Its Theatrical Refractions$

G. Bowman & R. Hudson (Eds.) After Yugoslavia: Identities and Politics within the Successor States (pp. 92-104). London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2012

Chapter in the Book: Beyond International Conditionality, Local Variations of Minority Representa... more Chapter in the Book: Beyond International Conditionality, Local Variations of Minority Representation in Central and South-Eastern Europe (Nomos, 2017)

Beyond International Conditionality, Local Variations of Minority Representation in Central and South-Eastern Europe., 2017

Since its independence in 1991, the Republic of Macedonia encountered many challenges. One major ... more Since its independence in 1991, the Republic of Macedonia encountered many challenges. One major test was the developing of a framework to accommodate the needs and rights of its ethnic communities. Macedonian society is characterized by a mixed structure: there is one dominant group (ethnic Macedonians), one large minority group (ethnic Albanians), and several numerically smaller communities. The 2001 Ohrid Framework Agreement (OFA) led to a new constitutional setting designed to advance minorities’ representation. This paper offers a comprehensive analysis of minorities’ rights in Macedonia since its independence, focusing on the smaller-in-size ethnic communities. Following an initial overview of the legal framework and institutional settings, the paper focuses on the struggle of smaller minority groups for more effective involvement in the decision making processes. The latter is considered in a twofold perspective: 1) representation and participation in parliament (pre-election coalitions, election results and assigned parliamentary mandates, participation and decisive power through parliamentary bodies and other power sharing arrangements); and 2) representation in government (government coalitions and equitable representation in public administration). The paper analyses the extent to which current legal and policy settings meet the expectations of the smaller ethnic groups and offers a comparative overview of three different models used for overcoming ethnic conflicts and accommodating of minorities. One general assumption is that the development of Macedonia’s minority protection model has mainly depended on the dialogue between the ethnic Macedonians and Albanians, whereas the representation of smaller ethnic communities remains largely overlooked and dependent on the political will of the dominant political parties.

Non-formal Education in the Republic of Macedonia: Conditions and Perspectives, Nov 2009

Books by Ivan Dodovski

Europe and the Balkans - 13th annual international academic conference on European integration (conference proceedings), 2018

This volume is made up of a selection of peer-reviewed chapters originally presented at the 13th ... more This volume is made up of a selection of peer-reviewed chapters originally presented at the 13th international conference on European Integration, organized by the University American College Skopje. Entitled: “Europe and the Balkans”, the conference was held at the Macedonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Skopje, on 17 May 2018. The main purpose of the conference had been to re-examine the complex construct of the Balkans in the European political and cultural imagination. Although the Balkans have been claimed by local nations as the ‘cradle of European civilization’, for Western imagining the region has usually featured as a ‘part of Europe, yet not of it’. It is to be hoped that the negative demi-orientalizing discourse which has stigmatized the Balkans as both a vortex of stagnation and violence, and as ’an incomplete self’ of Europe will eventually fade away with the integration of the Balkan countries into the European Union. Nevertheless, the controversial term ’Western Balkans’, invented as a seeming mask of political correctness, testifies to prevailing prejudice and obstacles to the process of European integration. It should also be noted that as a catch-all expression for the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, the term ’Western Balkans’ used to designate a geographical space once referred to more generally as South Eastern Europe was contested throughout the conference. The conference which involved about 20 prominent Macedonian and international scholars as well as over 120 attendees afforded an excellent opportunity to contribute to a better understanding of the Berlin Process and to other initiatives related to the integration of the Western Balkans into the EU.

Rethinking Migration, Economic Growth and Solidarity in Europe - 12th annual international academic conference on European integration (conference proceedings), 2017

This volume is made up of a selection of peer-reviewed chapters originally presented at the 12th ... more This volume is made up of a selection of peer-reviewed chapters originally presented at the 12th international conference entitled: “Rethinking Migration, Economic Growth and Solidarity in Europe”, which was held in Skopje on 25 May 2017. The primary purpose of the conference had been to provide a re-examination of the current situation in Europe, and to discuss potential scenarios for its future. In particular, the conference aimed at juxtaposing and rethinking the concepts of migration, economic growth and solidarity in Europe. Following on from the Brexit vote in June 2016 and amidst the continuing migration crisis, many contributors addressed the question of the very future of the European Union. Whilst it is difficult to predict how the greatest political project in history will be affected by the raft of existential pressures placed upon it, both within and without, it is necessary to consider the general trends and foresee potential consequences, as well as offering elucidations which go beyond current fears, continuing prejudice, and short-term interests.
Various questions have arisen. How are migrants and refugees being dealt with both at and within Europe’s borders? What are the challenges to European solidarity, migration, and security; and what might be the impact on EU enlargement on the Western Balkans? These are some of the issues addressed in this book, which also includes chapters on European security and responses to terrorism, the rise of populism in Europe and economic predictions for the EU and its member states.

Borders, Imagined or Real - 11th annual international academic conference on European integration (conference proceedings), 2016

This volume is made up of selection of peer-reviewed chapters originally presented at the 11th in... more This volume is made up of selection of peer-reviewed chapters originally presented at the 11th international conference entitled: “Borders: Imagined or Real” which was held in Skopje on 21 May 2016. The main goal of the conference had been to provide an in-depth examination of the concepts of borders which over the years have been shown to have a strong presence and impact upon European societies, particularly with regard to their development and growth. Certainly, from a European Union perspective it cannot be denied that cross-border cooperation is one of the key phenomena that both characterizes and influences the current process of European integration. As such the conference sought to raise an awareness of the importance of the study of borders, and whether or not they are driven by territoriality or by government policy, through an investigation of their dynamic structures and elements. The conference also sought to explore new and alternative scenarios in the shaping and visualization of borders set against the concept of European integration from a critical and forward-looking perspective.

Various questions were raised. How have old and new borders affected the European continent? What are the challenges to regional, cross border and trans-border cooperation in Europe; and, how do open and closed borders, impact upon free movement, migration control, and the future of the Schengen Agreement? These are some of the issues addressed in this book, which also included chapters on border security and management; dealing with social, ethnic, linguistic and religious boundaries within Europe; as well as considering the historical, philosophical and cultural perspectives that surround the very concept of borders.

European Integration: New Prospects - 10th annual international academic conference on European integration (conference proceedings), 2015

This volume is made up of selection of carefully selected peer‐reviewed papers originally present... more This volume is made up of selection of carefully selected peer‐reviewed papers originally presented at the 10th international conference entitled: “European Integration: New Prospects” which was held in Skopje on 21 May 2015.
The papers were written against the background of a number of serious issues confronting Europe at the time; particularly, issues affecting the economy, migration and security. Whilst some EU member states seemed to be slowly emerging from the global economic crisis, which had had such a deep impact on Europe since 2008, concerns remained over how to achieve economic growth and create jobs in order to build social cohesion. There were concerns too over rising unemployment, especially amongst European youth and the rise of extremism throughout the continent which could impact on social cohesion and stability in the face of economic austerity. One particular question remained over whether or not enlargement would provide a solution to many of Europe’s problems or if it would engender further problems; whilst aspirant countries from South Eastern Europe needed to be fully aware of the hurdles that they would have to go through if they were to create and sustain true civil societies – prerequisites for EU‐membership status. There would also be a need too for greater regional cooperation, especially in South Eastern Europe and the need to settle cross‐border disputes in a further bid to usher in greater political stability and economic development and to attract foreign direct investment.

The Europe of Tomorrow: Creative, Digital, Integrated - 9th annual international conference on European integration (conference proceedings), 2014

This volume is made up of a selection of papers originally presented at the 9th international con... more This volume is made up of a selection of papers originally presented at
the 9th international conference on European integration entitled: “The Europe of Tomorrow: Creative, Digital, Integrated” which was held in Skopje on 15 May 2014. The volume seeks to critically address the potential challenges and opportunities for building a stronger European Union which relies on creativity, innovation and digital technologies and considers how the EU should strengthen its basic political values of freedom, solidarity and integration. As such, the papers were written at a time when the member states of the European Union were slowly emerging from the global economic crisis, which had had such a deep impact upon the EU since 2008.

Out of the Crisis: EU Economic and Social Policies Reconsidered - 8th annual international conference on European integration (conference proceedings), 2013

Will the deepening of European integration within Europe lead to a European super-state, a federa... more Will the deepening of European integration within Europe lead to a European super-state, a federation or something else? If the EU were to close its doors on external immigration in the future would it put future economic development at risk? How can economic diplomacy serve as a strategy for sustainable economic growth? Has the EU transformed the crisis into an opportunity for investment in promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency as a means of achieving sustainable growth? How have the interconnectedness and the ever-growing interdependency of the European countries set in motion the vast number of processes that ultimately led to the current financial crisis? How has the financial crisis demonstrated the need for a new approach to banking regulation and supervision? These are some of the questions addressed in this book. But at the end of the day, whilst the sovereign debt crisis has led to a profound crisis in public confidence in the European project, an alternative interpretation might be that the crisis could be viewed from a more optimistic perspective - as an opportunity for thinking and rethinking the EU as a whole, as well as providing a more positive ideas for future developments.

Europe 2020: Towards Innovative and Inclusive Union - 7th annual international conference on European integration (conference proceedings), 2012

Can the Euro crisis be solved by introducing deeper political integration and common economic gov... more Can the Euro crisis be solved by introducing deeper political integration and common economic governance? Should we expect the rise of economic nationalisms? How to build more inclusive societies? What are the prospects of Western Balkan countries caught between domestic reform inertia and a distracted EU? In the light of Europe 2020 growth strategy targets, this volume analyzes the challenges to the political and institutional architecture of the European Union and provides a new look at some of the most controversial issues of European integration.

Constructing Europe as a Global Power: From Market to Identity? - 6th annual international conference on European integration (conference proceedings), 2011

What kind of values does the European Union need – besides a single market and legal personality ... more What kind of values does the European Union need – besides a single market and legal personality – to develop its internal cohesion and to sustain global relevance? How to overcome the deficits in Europe’s image, replacing the perception of a technocratic bastion with that of a political and cultural power? Does the EU need to develop a more finely tuned approach to economic governance that accommodates the differences among EU member states' models of growth and competitiveness? In this volume, scholars address these and other related issues, debating the vision of Europe as a strong society, where the problems of today transcend national borders.

Europe after the Lisbon Treaty - 5th annual international conference on European integration (conference proceedings), 2011

What was the controversy surrounding the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty about? What are its co... more What was the controversy surrounding the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty about? What are its consequences for the future of European integration? The papers in this volume these and other related issues in key areas - economy, energy stability, human rights, and the well-being of the people. In surveying the post-Lisbon period, scholars and professionals from several countries discuss the adopted treaty as a step towards strengthening the institutional capacity of the European Union and laying the foundation to meet the challenges of the 21st century.