Ethno-Political Conflicts in the EU

Assoc. Prof. Georgi Bardarov

(optional course)

The EU project is in the very beginning of its development and is still a short period to assess the positive and negative sides of the peoples of the continent. Historical tradition in Europe needs the integration of geographic space, transformation of frontiers and new thinking for its approval as a factor and global "player" in the global geospatial. Could this happen without overcoming the incumbent centuries negative narratives, hatred and confrontation in relations between the peoples of Europe? The design of evil on the image of the closest neighbors has long been a driving force in the politics of many European countries. Behind the mask of nationalism and national idea concealed much higher and corporate interests, political machinations, intrigues and frank cynicism of the ruling circles.

Today, Europe is emerging from the era of the national idea, but conflicts emerged therein are not allowed. They more than anything else threaten the future of the union. There can be no prosperous EU, while there is intolerance between Irish and English, Basque and Spanish, Serbs and Albanians, Turks and Kurds or Georgians and Ossetians.

The course aims to analyze the genesis, periodization, parameters and current state of the most violent and persistent ethno-confessional conflicts in the EU and its border, present positions of the entities and to predict their future development and impact on the overall EU sustainability.