Balkan States Make No Progress on Freedom24 JAN 14 Balkan States Make No Progress on Freedom and some additional information, unrelated to Balkans, but interesting to compare. According to the same source: Worst of the Worst: Ten countries were given the lowest possible rating of 7 for both political rights and civil liberties. Central African Republic Somalia Equatorial Guinea Sudan Eritrea Syria North Korea Turkmenistan Saudi Arabia Uzbekistan Freedom in the World 2014 Unfortunately, from what I have seen, we've no more posters from Balkan states to give their opinion on this analysis ;(
This is understandable, now a lot of them are using social networks such as VK.com, FaceBook, Google +
I have an interest in the Balkans although not a burning desire. It seems to me that Albania has suffered from long term economic problems which has led to the growth of organised crime which seems to be a big factor within in it. Bosnia is a new state which has seen a major upheaval in terms of it's culture and economy following the Yugoslav wars in the 90's which goes without saying, were pretty unpleasant. Kosovo seem extremely divided between those who want to be repatriated with Serbia and those that want to be independent and it doesn't help that Kosovo has several different ethnicities although the largest are Albanian. So with all these factors is it any wonder that there is a serious level corruption or electoral fraud.
I think you could credit me with a more articulate response and considering I'm trying to help with this topic which is about a greatly under represented region as well as it's intricacies.
I could and should, while my post was fully 'articulate' to ppl who know the situation here. Anyways, all what you listed as potential root of problems in the societies marked as 'partly free'( war, lousy economy) can be applied to other Balkan states who, however, are not in the same position. That's why I pointed out to only major difference from my point of view and knowledge of this part of the world-religion.
Ok thanks. I actually anticipated that you might be more defensive in your reply but I'm glad by your sense of fair play When it comes to Islam in the Balkan states, I was under the impression that relations were cordial particularly as Sarajevo had the highest number of mixed marriages in the former Yugoslavia. And there other countries in which Islam is a strong factor and yet they are considered more free than the aforementioned Balkan states. In fact Malaysia is a prime example of this and much like the former Yugoslavia is a federation and has multiple ethnicities and religions. So what I'm wondering is that; maybe it's not because of their faith but because of their national psychology that makes it difficult to apply these liberties.
It's not faith that teaches freedom, but rather the mind itself and personal circumstances that revolve around it. Freedom is also seen as a subjective view; every country perceives freedom in different ways, and every country is not TRULY free if all forms of free thoughts were to be combined.
