Comments on: The Contradiction of Kosovo and Multi-Ethnic Societies http://www.planetd.org/2008/03/21/the-contradiction-of-kosovo-and-multi-ethnic-societies/ Critiquing the Politics, Policy & Practice of Development Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:08:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Dweep Chanana http://www.planetd.org/2008/03/21/the-contradiction-of-kosovo-and-multi-ethnic-societies/comment-page-1/#comment-109000 Dweep Chanana Tue, 25 Mar 2008 21:42:10 +0000 http://www.planetd.org/2008/03/21/the-contradiction-of-kosovo-and-multi-ethnic-societies/#comment-109000 You're right. I'm not trying here to comment on the desirability of this situation, or suggest that Europeans want mono-ethnic societies. However, I do want to point out the inherent contradiction in Europeans' view of nation states as ethnically homogeneous (as suggested by Kosovo), and the reality at home that they are increasingly ethnically diverse. You’re right. I’m not trying here to comment on the desirability of this situation, or suggest that Europeans want mono-ethnic societies. However, I do want to point out the inherent contradiction in Europeans’ view of nation states as ethnically homogeneous (as suggested by Kosovo), and the reality at home that they are increasingly ethnically diverse.

]]> By: Maurice Pigaht http://www.planetd.org/2008/03/21/the-contradiction-of-kosovo-and-multi-ethnic-societies/comment-page-1/#comment-108958 Maurice Pigaht Mon, 24 Mar 2008 12:05:30 +0000 http://www.planetd.org/2008/03/21/the-contradiction-of-kosovo-and-multi-ethnic-societies/#comment-108958 Whilst I agree with your point that Europe has trouble coming to terms with the modern reality of multi-ethnic societies, to paint this is the only or even main reason for their support of Kosovo's independence is over-simplistic. If European nations were truly set on a mono-ethnic Kosovo, would they not have drawn the political boundary such as to leave Serb-populated Northern Kosovo to Serbia? Rather, support for Kosovan independence seems to me to be the result of a Realpolitik, promoted by European administrators in the province itself. As you yourself rightly point out, it is by no means a particularly desireable solution, but it may just be the best one available. Whilst I agree with your point that Europe has trouble coming to terms with the modern reality of multi-ethnic societies, to paint this is the only or even main reason for their support of Kosovo’s independence is over-simplistic. If European nations were truly set on a mono-ethnic Kosovo, would they not have drawn the political boundary such as to leave Serb-populated Northern Kosovo to Serbia?

Rather, support for Kosovan independence seems to me to be the result of a Realpolitik, promoted by European administrators in the province itself. As you yourself rightly point out, it is by no means a particularly desireable solution, but it may just be the best one available.

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