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 Arlind V. Bytyqi
Under Former Yugoslavia, Albanians have consistently been identified
as pariahs, due to their ethnic difference from other constituent
republics. This difference - Albanianism - has been successfully
maintained throughout years, and has relentlessly triggered tension and
feelings of anti-Albanian existence among the state runners of the then
Yugoslav state. At the same time, it has been an ensuring factor to the
Albanian population of Kosovo that one day, nationalism will serve
their purpose for self-rule.
Ethno nationalism has at all
times been a distinctive feature of the Albanians inside the Yugoslav
‘state-pool’. The arguer claiming that Yugoslavia was a country where
everyone lived peacefully and in harmony, is challenged to face up to
my statement: this state, in the first place, was built on wrong
premises. Formation of a nation-state has a number of particularistic
elements attached to it; and these more than often are a commonality of
all the people living there. To begin with, all national groups that
were part of Yugoslavia shared different histories. This was especially
true for the Albanians. There was absolutely nothing that tied them
together historically speaking with any other nationality, except for
confrontation and tension. Then, language was another element,
alongside with values and traditions. Albanian language and traditions
are extremely different from languages and traditions of other ethnic
groups which were part of Yugoslavia. Therefore, we are dealing here
with various national identities, thus, Kosovo Albanians have always
been a unique case.
Ethnic nationalism, for Kosovo Albanians,
suggested that they were a nation which shared same values and one
culture. These values and culture were not artificial. They were
carried onto Albanians by their forerunners, and this is a strong
element identifying a nation. In the same vein, they ensured for
legitimacy by different international factors. The behavior of Kosovo
Albanians throughout these times was characterized by a persistent
effort to safeguard their national identity, as well as their long
struggle for self-determination. Whilst the former was effectively
preserved, the latter required commitment and sacrifices. Kosovo
Albanians were not after self-rule under Yugoslavian regime, which was
then coined autonomy. They were after full independence/statehood where
no other state would interfere in internal and foreign affairs.
In
this regard, since national identity never posed a problem for Kosovo
Albanians in terms of defense from external factors, their nationalist
movement was shifted and took the form of a state-centric nationalism.
This suggested their struggle for statehood, given they had all other
prerequisites for it.
There obviously is a difference between a
state and a nation. Even though these two phrases are often used as one
(nation-states) they advocate two different institutions. Kosovo was
always a place of a nation, but it was unfortunately never a state. And
this is where the sharp distinction should be kept in mind: the Kosovar
state is not being born in an artificial manner. On the contrary, we
are facing nothing but the merging process of the two concepts, nation
and state, into one. Nationalists worldwide claim that if a populace
can identify in terms of language, traditions, culture and values, the
next logical step to be taken is proclamation of statehood. Kosovo
Albanians are filing for their right to self-governance; governance
over their own people.
In essence, among Kosovo Albanians,
we find a number of other ethnic groups or minorities living there
presently. Fundamentally, and in theory, this goes against the formula
for the creation of a state based on premises of a unique language,
same traditions and so on. Nevertheless, Kosovo is not after an
ethnically clean state. In this world of the twenty-first century where
globalization and amalgamation of all kinds of civilizations and
national groups in all parts of the world takes place on daily basis,
pure nation-states is an ideal which will never be reached.
Since
creation of the Kosovar state is now a reality, it is pivotal that
there is a unified or mass acknowledgement of the state. In other
words, the state should be viewed as legitimate by the people inside
its territory. A special emphasis here is put on the Serb minority, who
should by all means embrace the Kosovar state, for it is their state,
too.
When nationalism is used to describe the Kosovo Albanians’ efforts for
self-determination, we should be cagey to draw the attention to the
typology of nationalism that was employed. Whilst in many regions of
the world, extremist nationalist movements have been used to achieve
certain goals, Kosovo Albanians have pursued a rather different path.
Their way was one of patience and preservation of who they are. Thus,
if we were to give another prefix to nationalism based on the Kosovar
case, that would be coined either ‘persistent nationalism’ or ‘serene
nationalism’.
The trick with this type of nationalism is
that is requires a long-term pledge. Alongside the pledge, you also
have to agree to the wretched fact that there will be carnage by the
authority that you are rejecting as your ruler. For Kosovo Albanians it
took a very long time, perhaps, more than it should have taken. It also
cost them hundreds and thousands of lives and destruction of
properties. Another factor which is by no means to be neglected,
especially if we are talking about a small country, as is Kosovo, is
the support by ‘the big guys’. It is always better if this comes in
time, as it would save a nation from a lot of despair and suffering.
Having
the strength of mind and bravery to rise against all forms of
oppression and attempts to squash an entire nation, is the key to a
successful campaign which will deliver the fundamental right:
self-determination. Kosovo Albanians have lived through and possessed
both, and today they are at a decisive moment of their long-lasting
struggle. This struggle in its superlative sense is pure nationalism.
It is nationalism understood within the framework of a modern
connotation of the word, with all its positive aspects following
behind.
By
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