Kosovo: A Success or Failure? A Study of State-Building

Abstract: Abstract In this thesis I have discussed the ongoing international state-building mission in Kosovo in the context of the final status issue and examining the future prospects. The main question of this study has been in which direction the state-building process is moving Kosovo and whether it can be regarded as a success or a failure. This qualitative case study has employed the ?institutionalization before liberalization? (IBL) strategy as theoretical framework, which is a modified strategy of the liberal peace theory. My conclusion is that the state-building process in Kosovo has reached a status quo which results in negative outcomes. The state-building mission has not managed to create the foundation for a stable and sustainable peace. In order to over come the status quo and move the process forward in a sound direction the status of Kosovo must urgently be determined. Further, Kosovo needs to advance from a first stage of state-building to a second stage. This means that Kosovo needs to move from a protectorate to a member-state building process, where a full membership of the EU is the final goal.