A Europeanization without Democratization: The Case Study of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract: Since the second half of the 1990s onwards the EU has started comprehensive Europeanization reform process in the Western Balkan countries in the framework of its enlargement policy. One important aspect of the ongoing Europeanization process has been a democratization reforms. However, the WB region as a whole has continuously faced serious democratic deficit. Therefore, it is highly challenging to understand the main reasons behind such a paradox. For this purpose, I have used democratization approach as a theory. Also, I have used mainly qualitative research methods to collect the empirical material. The study is examining the case of Bosnia and Herzegovina, one of the countries of WB region, regarding the main challenges it has faced in terms of its democratization reforms in the framework of the allencompassing Europeanization process. I have identified the five main challenges limiting genuine democratization in the country; namely, deficient constitutional framework, massive international presence, exclusive ethnic nationalism, weak civil society, and ambiguous role of the EU member states. After thorough analysis of the case I have reached a conclusion that these main challenges have to be tackled as soon as possible if the country is going to continue its democratization reforms which will eventually bring it closer to the EU membership. Most importantly, I think that the EU has to put more pressure into whole Europeanization process in order to help the democratic reforms in the country. Otherwise, Bosnia and Herzegovina could face a situation of permanent Europeanization process without genuine democratization reforms!