_____________ University
Kosovo is a landlocked territory located in the South Eastern part of Europe known as the Balkans. On average, Kosovo gets hot summer and cold winters ranging from +30 C to -10 C (Independent Commission for Mines and Minerals, 2005). According to a 2013 World Bank report, the population of Kosovo is 1.8 million people. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) World Factbook lists the primary crops in Kosovo as being “wheat, corn, berries, potatoes, peppers, and fruit” (2005). Additionally, Kosovo produces dairy, livestock, and fish. The Kosovar industries listed in the CIA World Factbook are “mineral mining, construction materials, base metals, leather, machinery, appliances, foodstuffs and beverages, and textiles” (2005). Kosovo is considered a lower-middle income country (Rogel, n.d., p. 167). In 2013, it was reported that Kosovo had a budget deficit of -1.8% of GDP. According to the GINI Index, Kosovo has a distribution of family income and wealth of 30 (FY05/06) which means the income distribution is very unequal throughout Kosovo’s society. The upper levels of the Kosovo society such as politicians are believed to hold a lot of the wealth within that country.
Kosovo was at war with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia from February 28, 1998 to June 11, 1999. Due to the allegation of ethnic cleansing, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) participated in the war on Kosovo side (Erlanger, 2001). The Kosovo War ended with the Kumanovo Treaty which had made the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia pull out of Kosovo. According to the Central Intelligence Agency World Factbook, Kosovo had gained its independence from Serbia on February 17, 2008. Today, Kosovo is a democratic republic which has several political parties.
The Kosovar government is headed by a Prime Minister Isa Mustafa, and the Kosovar head of state is President Atifete Jahjaga. The largest political party in Kosovo is known as the Democratic League of Kosovo, which started as a non-violent resistance movement in the 1990s. From 1989 to 2006, Ibrahim Rugova was head of the Democratic League of Kosovo. Today the position is held by Isa Mustafa. Another political party known as the Kosovo Liberation Army is split into two different parties. The Democratic Party of Kosovo is known to be center-left in their ideology while the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo is known to be center right. Behgjet Pacolli formed a more recent political party in 2006 named the New Kosovo Alliance. Historically, Kosovo has seen a fluctuation in past growth.
The reason for their trading failure is Serbia's refusal to accept any products with the label of the Republic of Kosovo. The country has some success with its exports with Italy being its largest export market (Tabak & Hugh-Jones, 2011). However, Kosovo does face trade deficit due to the uncontrolled black market that operates with its borders. Even though Kosovo is still relatively new as a country, it has an outward look on the world. Kosovo is a new country which is plagued with issues in its society as well as in its government.
Today, Kosovo faces many challenges as a young country. One of the most critical challenges it faces is organized crime and political corruption. Often times, these crimes have gone unpunished. Kosovar government has been either unable or unwilling to address these issues of crime and punishment. A whistleblower had come forward with information that senior members of Kosovo's politicians may be involved with the organized crime (Borger 2014). Addition to organized crime and political corruption, the unemployment rate and poverty in Kosovo is rising. Kosovo continues to be hopeful that the level of unemployment and poverty will be lowered as they continue to have an open dialogue with the international community (Tran, 2008).
Even though Kosovo's society has seen some growth in recent years, the country's growth suffers a lot due to issues such as the black market, corruption, and human trafficking. Easterly's general argument that the absent of incentives has been a major problem in poorer countries is not a reason for Kosovo's issues. With or without incentives, the Kosovar government's lack of action against those who commit crime or corruption contributes to its current state (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2008, p. 28). Moreover, ethnic issues tend to divide Kosovo societies (Warrander & Knaus, 2007, p. 45). Currently, crime is rampant, and unemployment is at 61% in Kosovo (Vice News, 2016).
Ever since its independence, Kosovo has had problems with Serbia. There had been tension between the two countries which resulted in a conflict on July 25, 2011 (International Crisis Group, 2011). According to the International Crisis Group, the international community has been siding with NATO with its support of Kosovo. I believe if more outside governments and multinationals support Kosovo's independence, it would be helpful to its economy and the safety of its society. Additionally, outside governments and multinationals could help stimulate Kosovo’s job market by creating new job opportunities. Foreign companies should be encouraged to invest in Kosovo's society through incentives and other means. The creation of employment would help to alleviate some of the issues Kosovars have witnessed in their country in recent times. By contributing to lower the unemployment rate of Kosovo and get the young population working, Kosovars may be able to decrease the violence between the ethnic groups.
Apart from support from outside countries to recognize its right to exist, Kosovo would need help with solving their issue of a racial divide. Albanian is the largest ethnic group in Kosovo while Serbians are minorities. There has been tension between the Serbians and Albanians within Kosovo and between the country of Kosovo and Serbia (Jimmy, 2016). The current issue is that Kosovars believe the government has broken the constitution of Kosovo by giving more political power to the Serbs (Jimmy, 2016). Outside governments and multinationals should step in and show their support for the Kosovo governments and encourage the idea that all ethnicity within Kosovo has the right to take part in political discussion and office. These actions may be enough to help the Kosovar government promote an open dialogue between Serbs and Albanians. In the next decade, I expect the Kosovar government to have a sustainable economy.
If Kosovo can solve its issue of corruption within its political sector, it is possible that in the next ten years, Kosovo may be able to form an economy that is sustainable. However, there are other areas of society that the Kosovars would need to improve upon to make their economy better for the future. The issue of infrastructure needs to address because communication within Kosovo is difficult (International Crisis Group, 2001). Moreover, improvement is needed in energy, roads, and water as well (Adnkronos Business, 2010). These areas cannot be improved upon without the help of the international community.
As it stands, the politics within Kosovo affects all development. "Potential investors have been deterred by the fact that they do not know which jurisdiction will apply" (International Crisis Group, 2001). In addition to political issues, Kosovo would need to solve its law enforcement issue as well. The law enforcement in Kosovo needs to become more efficient in fighting crime and the criminal justice system need to pass harsher punishments as a deterrent to future crimes. Society must be shown that it would be more beneficial for them to act legally rather than illegally. While I hope that Kosovo would become a sustainable society, it is entirely possible for it to become a failed state within a decade.
Even though there is an increase support from the international community, it is quite possible for Kosovo to become a failed state. Tensions have increased between the ethnic groups in Kosovo (BBC, 2008). The Albanians and Serbians have not found a middle ground that would allow them to continue to run Kosovo as an independent country. More recently, the Albanians became upset over the Kosovar government giving increase political power to the Serbs. The Albanians are calling for the destruction of the Kosovo constitution because of the Kosovar government’s action. NATO may step in to help defuse the issue between the two groups, but that may not be enough to keep Kosovo independent (Economic Initiative for Kosovo - ECIKS, n.d.).
Kosovo is a country which has experienced growth during its short years as a country (Lellio, 2006, p. 76). However, corruption has kept the unemployment rate and poverty rate high in that country (BBC, 2006). The failure to act against criminal activities has led a loss of confidence in Kosovars for their government. It is possible that if Kosovar government changes and focus on its people, that the international community may find it easier to work within Kosovo. Tensions between the ethnic groups in Kosovo need to be solved or in the next ten years, Kosovo may end up as a failed state (J, 2001). Regardless of its state now, Kosovo could develop into a sustainable economy.
References
Adnkronos Business. (2010, December 18). Kosovo: Natural resources key to the future, say experts. Retrieved from http://www1.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Business/?id=1.0.1683003038
Borger, J. (2014, November 6). EU accused over its Kosovo mission: ‘Corruption has grown exponentially’ | World news | The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/nov/06/eu-accused-over-kosovo-mission-failings
BBC. (2006, October 9). BBC NEWS | Europe | UN frustrated by Kosovo deadlock. Retrieved from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6034567.stm
BBC. (2008, March 19). Serbia's neighbours accept Kosovo. Retrieved from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7304488.stm
Central Intelligence Agency. (2016, May 18). The world factbook. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/kv.html
Economic Initiative for Kosovo - ECIKS. (n.d.). Economic Initiative for Kosovo - ECIKS. Retrieved from http://www.eciks.org/english/lajme.php?action=total_news&main_id=386
Erlanger, S. (2001, June 8). Rights Group Says NATO Bombing in Yugoslavia Violated Law. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2000/06/08/world/rights-group-says-nato-bombing-in-yugoslavia-violated-law.html
Independent Commission for Mines and Minerals. (2005). Climatic conditions. Retrieved June 10, 2016, from http://www.kosovo-mining.org/kosovoweb/en/kosovo/climate.html
International Crisis Group. (2001, December 19). Kosovo: A Strategy for Economic Development. Retrieved from http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/europe/balkans/kosovo/123-kosovo-a-strategy-for-economic-development.aspx
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Jimmy, S. (2016, January 10). Kosovo: Anti-government protests turn violent as 24 police officers sustain injuries. Retrieved from http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/kosovo-anti-government-protests-turn-violent-24-police-officers-sustain-injuries-1537036
J, T. (2001, July 26). Serbia and Kosovo: New trouble in Kosovo | The Economist. Retrieved from http://www.economist.com/blogs/easternapproaches/2011/07/serbia-and-kosovo
Lellio, A. D. (2006). The case for Kosova. London, Britain: Anthem Press.
Lewis, P. (2010, December 14). Kosovo physicians accused of illegal organs removal racket. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/dec/14/illegal-organ-removals-charges-kosovo
Rogel, C. (n.d.). Kosovo: Where it all began. International Journal of Politics, Culture, and Society, 17(1), 167–82. Retrieved from http://link.springer.com/article/10.1023%2FA%3A1025397128633?LI
Tabak, N., & Hugh-Jones, R. (2011, October 29). Kosovo's wines flowing again. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15401459
Tran, M. (2008, April 1). Interview: 'The international community makes a terrible mess wherever it goes'. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/apr/01/mary.kaldor.interview
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2008). Crime and its impact on the Balkans and affected countries. Retrieved from http://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/Balkan_study.pdf
Vice News. (2016, January 22). Corruption, hate and violence: Kosovo in crisis [Video file]. Retrieved from https://news.vice.com/video/corruption-hate-and-violence-kosovo-in-crisis
Warrander, G., & Knaus, V. (2007). Kosovo: The Bradt travel guide. Chalfont St. Peter, Britain: Bradt Travel Guides.
