European Union and Albanian Legitimacy. The diplomatic journey toward integration and accession

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Chapter 1: Introduction
• The Research Questions
• Methodology and Research Design
• Data Analysis
• Structure of the Thesis
• Chapter 2: Conceptual and Theoretical Framework
• The European Union's Enlargement Policy
• European Integration and Legitimacy
• Legitimacy in a Post-Conflict Country
• The Theory of Legitimacy: Institutional and Political Legitimacy
• Chapter 3: Albanian Accession Process: History and Context
• Albanian Accession: A Long and Complex Process
• Albania's Transition from Communism to Democracy
• The Role of the EU in Albania's Post-Conflict Reconstruction
• The Albanian Political System and its Impact on the Accession Process
• Chapter 4: The Impact of the EU on Albanian Legitimacy
• The EU's Impact on Institutional Legitimacy
• The EU's Impact on Political Legitimacy
• The Role of Public Opinion and the Media in Shaping Perceptions of the EU
• The Impact of the EU on Albanian Society and Culture
• Chapter 5: The Role of Domestic Factors in Albanian Legitimacy
• The Role of Political Parties and Political Culture
• The Role of Civil Society and Media
• The Role of Economic Development and Social Welfare
• The Role of Corruption and Organized Crime
• Chapter 6: The Future of Albanian Legitimacy and the EU Accession Process
• Challenges and Opportunities for Albanian Legitimacy
• The Role of the EU in Supporting Albanian Legitimacy
• The Importance of Building Trust and Confidence between Albania and the EU
• The Future of Albanian Accession to the EU
• Chapter 7: Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This PhD thesis aims to analyze the impact of the European Union (EU) on the legitimacy of Albania in its journey towards integration and accession. The study explores the complex relationship between EU enlargement policy and the development of legitimacy in a post-conflict country like Albania.

• The impact of EU enlargement policy on Albanian legitimacy
• The role of domestic factors in shaping Albanian legitimacy
• The challenges and opportunities for Albanian legitimacy in the context of EU accession
• The importance of building trust and confidence between Albania and the EU
• The future of Albanian accession to the EU

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

Chapter 1 provides an introduction to the research questions, methodology, and structure of the thesis. This chapter sets the stage for the subsequent chapters, outlining the key objectives of the study.

Chapter 2 delves into the conceptual and theoretical framework underpinning the study. It explores the EU's enlargement policy, the concept of legitimacy in the context of European integration, and the theory of legitimacy in post-conflict countries.

Chapter 3 examines the historical context of Albanian accession to the EU, highlighting the country's transition from communism to democracy and the role of the EU in its post-conflict reconstruction. This chapter provides a crucial understanding of the Albanian political system and its impact on the accession process.

Chapter 4 analyzes the impact of the EU on Albanian legitimacy, exploring the influence of EU policies on institutional and political legitimacy. This chapter also examines the role of public opinion and media in shaping perceptions of the EU in Albania.

Chapter 5 investigates the role of domestic factors in shaping Albanian legitimacy. This chapter explores the influence of political parties, civil society, media, economic development, and social welfare on the country's legitimacy. The chapter also examines the role of corruption and organized crime in undermining legitimacy.

Chapter 6 focuses on the future of Albanian legitimacy and the EU accession process, addressing the challenges and opportunities facing the country. This chapter explores the role of the EU in supporting Albanian legitimacy and the importance of building trust and confidence between the two entities. It also examines the future of Albanian accession to the EU.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This PhD thesis explores key concepts such as European Union, Albania, legitimacy, European integration, accession, enlargement policy, post-conflict reconstruction, institutional legitimacy, political legitimacy, domestic factors, public opinion, media, civil society, economic development, corruption, organized crime, trust, confidence, and the future of accession.