Collective memory, national identity, and ethnic conflict : Greece, Bulgaria, and the Macedonian question

Roudometof provides an in-depth analysis of inter-ethnic relations in the southern Balkans. He examines the evolution of the Macedonian Question and the production of rival national narratives by Greeks, Bulgarians, and Macedonians. He introduces the concept of a national narrative in order to account for the production and proliferation of different forms of collective memory among the rival nation-states. Roudometof deconstructs the national narratives of the competing sides and shows the limits of these narratives and their biases. He also develops an alternative interpretation of Macedonian national formation. The contentious issue of Macedonian national minorities in the southern Balkans is examined as well as the issue of the Albanian movements toward self-determination and succession in Kosovo and western Macedonia. Roudometof argues that the Macedonian minority groups are not as numerous in the neighboring states as it is conventionally assumed. With regard to the Albanian national question, he provides a review of the post-1945 relations between Albania and Greece, the Albanians of Kosovo and the Serbs, and the Albanians and Macedonians. He argues that the Albanian nationalist movements have grown out of the interaction between Albanians and their neighboring nations and ethnic groups. An important resource for scholars, students, and other researchers involved with the Balkans and ethnic conflict resolution in general. Front Cover......Page 1 Title Page......Page 2 Copyright......Page 3 Contents......Page 4 Abbreviations......Page 6 Acknowledgments......Page 5 1. Collective Memory, National Identity, and the Macedonian Question......Page 7 2. The Symbolic Struggle for Macedonia......Page 35 3. Toward an Archaeology of the Macedonian Question......Page 63 4. Macedonian National Identity: An Interpretation......Page 89 5. The Question of Macedonian Minorities in the Southern Balkans......Page 125 6. The Albanian Question in the Southern Balkans......Page 159 7. Conclusion: The Macedonian Question Never Dies......Page 195 About the Author......Page 229 This is an analysis of inter-ethnic relations in the Southern Balkans. It examines the evolution of the "Macedonian question" and the production of rival national narratives by Greeks, Bulgarians and Macedonians. It deconstructs the national narratives to show their limitations and biases On 24 March 1999 U.S. President Bill Clinton Addressed the U.S. public to inform them that the United States and NATO has just begun their military campaign to remove the Serb forces from Kosovo. Victor Roudometof. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [225]-251) And Index.