Cooperation within entities of power in Kosovo: Relation and similarity between present day political parties and the traditional clan

Abstract

The thesis explores the relation between the traditional Kosovo Albanian clan and the postwar political leadership. Traditionally the clan has been the basic form of social organization and cooperation among Kosovo Albanians, and in the process of postwar social and political transition it has taken up new forms, disappearing in some aspects, while remaining visible in other. The statebuilding project in Kosovo which began in 1999 has produced mixed results. Along with visible symbols of democracy, strong family and close friends favoritism or a form of groupism with a clear preference for the 'circle of trust' are also recognizable withing the structures and strategies of the major KA political parties. The two leading parties of the PDK and the AAK, which emerged out of the Kosovo Liberation Army, are defined by having strong regional bases (their main providers of support), a leader based hierarchy, and notable dominance over major economic resources. Accusations of Kosovo being ruled by clan politics have appeared in the media and several reports, however missing any firm ground for proving such a relation. The thesis explores the cooperative basis of the Kosovo Albanian political party leadership with reference to those within the traditional clan in search for a more accurate understanding of the similarity between the two. It is considered that understanding what drives cooperation within the leading governmental structures of modern Kosovo is crucial for stimulating future development.