The modern Balkan states have faces many similar challenges since their foundation. They can consequently be viewed as a subsystem in international relations, and it is difficult to understand many aspects of Greek politics without taking into consideration the framework of the wider geographic region. The common traits are maybe more easily discernable in their early phase of development when they had common challenges related to the introduction of Western European models of government and irredentist foreign policies. During the interwar period Greece tried to consolidate its position, but was faced with the twin challenge of a revisionist Bulgaria and the difficulties related to the rise of authoritarian regimes in Europe. WWII marks another round of challenges to the territorial division of the Balkans that ultimately did not change the prewar status. With the advent of Communism the Balkans were divided within the Cold War framework. The bipolar regime was the overriding structure, but with variations because of the fluctuation in bilateral relations, first of all in the relationship with Turkey. After 1990 we encounter a new attempt to unite the Balkans as a periphery of the EU. In this new climate of cooperation it is important to be aware of the peculiarities of the area and their significance for further developments. Finally, the background and consequences of Yugoslavia’s demise will receive its due attention

The student becomes acquainted with general issues related to Balkan political history from the early 19th century until the present within a comparative framework that takes into consideration general international political developments as well as Balkan particularities.

Course Bibliography (Eudoxus)
Θάνος Bερέµης, Bαλκάνια – από τον 19ο ως τον 21ο αιώνα, ∆όµηση και αποδόµηση κρατών, Πατάκης, Αθήνα 2004.
Θάνος Bερέµης, Bαλκάνια – από το διπολισµό στη νέα εποχή, Γνώση, Aθήνα 1995.
Zωρζ Kαστελάν, H ιστορία των Bαλκανίων, Γκοβόστης, Aθήνα 1991.
Σωτήρης Bαλντέν, H Eλλάδα στα Bαλκάνια και τον κόσµο 1995-2003, Θεµέλιο, Aθήνα 2004.
Mark Mazower, Τα Βαλκάνια, Εκδόσεις Πατάκη, Αθήνα 2002
Λευτέρης Σ. Σταυριανός, Τα Βαλκάνια από το 1453 και μετά, Βάνιας, Θεσσαλονίκη 2007
Additional bibliography for study
Aarbakke, Vemund. “Die Region Makedonien” in Oliver Jens Schmitt – Michael Metzeltin (Hg.), Das Südosteuropa der Regionen, Wien, Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften. pp. 603-639.
Barkey, Karen & Mark Von Hagen. After Empire Multiethnic Societies and Nation-Building The Soviet Union and the Russian, Ottoman and Habsburg Empires, Boulder Co 1997.
Exertzoglou, Haris . “Shifting Boundaries: Language Community and the ‘Non-Greek-Speaking Greeks”, Istorein, Athens 1999. pp. 75-92.
Gallagher, Tom. The Balkans After the Cold War. From Tyranny to Tragedy. London and New York 2003.
Goldschmidt Jr., Arthur & Lawrence Davidson, A Concise History of the Middle East, Boulder Co 2010, (9th Edition).
Hupchick, Dennis P. The Balkans From Constantinople to Communism, New York N.Y. 2002.
Jelavich, Barbara. History of the Balkans, Volume 1, Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries. Cambridge University Press 1983.
Jelavich, Barbara. History of the Balkans, Volume 2. Twentieth century.
Livanios, Dimitris . “Beyond ‘ethnic cleansing’: aspects of the functioning of violence in the Ottoman and post-Ottoman Balkans,” Southeast European and Black Sea Studies, Vol. 8, No. 3, September 2008, pp. 189–203.
Pearson, Raymond. National Minorities in Eastern Europe 1848–1945. London 1983.
Pond, Elizabeth. Endgame in the Balkans Regime Change, European Style, Washington D.C. 2006.
Stavrianos, L. S. The Balkans since 1453, New York 1958.
Wilkinson, H. R. Maps And Politics, Liverpool 1951.
Zurcher, Erik J. Turkey A Modern History, Revised Edition. London 2004.

The course is also offered to exchange programme students.