EU influence in the Balkans

EU Enlargement: Can Political Pressure Truly Democratize the Balkans?

Kai Mendoza in Politics & Policy June 2025 • 4 min read.

"A deep dive into the effectiveness of EU conditionality in fostering democracy in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo."

The fall of communism in Eastern Europe sparked hopes for widespread democratization. However, in the Western Balkans, this transition was intertwined with the violent breakup of Yugoslavia, adding layers of complexity to the state-building process. The European Union (EU) stepped in, aiming to guide the region towards economic prosperity and stable democracy. Yet, more than a decade into the enlargement process, democratization faces significant hurdles, especially in strengthening the rule of law and enhancing civil liberties.

Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and Kosovo exemplify these challenges. Their paths to democratization have stagnated, falling short of EU expectations. This raises a crucial question: How effective is the EU's enlargement strategy, particularly its use of political conditionality, in promoting democratization in these countries?

This article examines the EU's engagement in BiH and Kosovo, analyzing how the enlargement process influences democratization through political pressure. By comparing these two cases, we can understand the limitations and potential of the EU's approach in transforming post-conflict societies.

The EU's Democratization Toolkit: Carrots, Sticks, and Conditionality

The EU's enlargement policy operates on a system of rewards and penalties, often described as "carrots and sticks." Accession to the EU, with its economic and political benefits, serves as a major incentive for countries to align with EU standards. Conversely, failure to comply with EU conditions can lead to withheld benefits, such as financial assistance or visa-free travel.

Two main theories explain how this conditionality affects domestic change: rationalist and constructivist approaches. Rationalist theory suggests that EU pressure alters the incentives for domestic actors, making it beneficial for them to pursue reforms. Constructivist theory, on the other hand, emphasizes the role of socialization, where domestic actors internalize EU norms and values, leading to genuine change.

Rationalist Theory: EU pressure changes incentives for domestic actors.
Constructivist Theory: Domestic actors internalize EU norms and values.

Ultimately, the effectiveness of EU conditionality depends on how well these "carrots and sticks" translate into real improvements in the rule of law and civil liberties. The following sections will delve into the experiences of BiH and Kosovo, assessing the EU's impact on their democratic development.

Lessons Learned: Reforming the EU's Approach to Democratization

The EU's conditionality approach has had mixed results in the Western Balkans. While it has provided incentives for reform, its effectiveness is limited by domestic political dynamics and the varying capacity of countries to implement EU standards. A more tailored and nuanced approach, focusing on long-term institution-building and genuine local ownership, is needed to achieve sustainable democratization in the region. The EU must adapt its strategies to ensure that political pressure translates into tangible improvements in the lives of citizens, fostering a true commitment to democratic values.

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n4s1p467, Alternate LINK

Title: Democratization Through Enlargement: A Comparative Study Of Bosnia And Herzegovina And Kosovo

Subject: General Economics, Econometrics and Finance

Journal: Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences

Publisher: Richtmann Publishing

Authors: Stiliano Rushaj

Published: 2015-07-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is the primary goal of the EU's enlargement process in the Western Balkans?

The primary goal of the EU's enlargement process in the Western Balkans is to foster democratization and guide the region towards economic prosperity and stable democracy. This involves using political and economic pressure to encourage countries to align with EU standards, with the ultimate aim of EU accession.

How does the EU use 'carrots and sticks' in its enlargement strategy?

The EU employs a system of rewards and penalties, known as 'carrots and sticks'. Accession to the EU, and the associated economic and political benefits, serves as the 'carrot', incentivizing countries to meet EU standards. Conversely, failure to comply with these conditions results in the withholding of benefits, such as financial assistance or visa-free travel, acting as the 'stick'.

What are the main theories explaining how EU conditionality affects domestic change?

Two main theories explain how EU conditionality affects domestic change: rationalist and constructivist approaches. The rationalist theory suggests that EU pressure alters the incentives for domestic actors, making it beneficial for them to pursue reforms. The constructivist theory, on the other hand, emphasizes the role of socialization, where domestic actors internalize EU norms and values, leading to genuine change.

In what ways have Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo's paths to democratization been challenging, according to the EU's expectations?

Both Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo face significant hurdles in their paths to democratization, falling short of EU expectations. These challenges particularly relate to strengthening the rule of law and enhancing civil liberties. Their progress has stagnated, highlighting the limitations of the EU's approach in transforming post-conflict societies. The EU's strategy needs to be adapted to facilitate tangible improvements.

What lessons have been learned regarding the effectiveness of the EU's conditionality approach in the Western Balkans, and what changes are suggested?

The EU's conditionality approach has yielded mixed results in the Western Balkans. While it has provided incentives for reform, its effectiveness is limited by domestic political dynamics and the varying capacity of countries to implement EU standards. A more tailored and nuanced approach is needed, focusing on long-term institution-building and genuine local ownership. The EU must adapt its strategies to translate political pressure into tangible improvements in the lives of citizens, promoting a true commitment to democratic values.