Strategic Culture of the Western Balkans States

Abstract

For the purposes of the paper, the Strategic Culture is defined as “that set of shared beliefs, assumptions, and modes of behavior derived from common experiences and accepted narratives that shape collective identity and relationships to other groups and which determine appropriate ends and means for achieving security objectives”. The present study focuses on the Strategic Culture of the Western Balkans States through the study of their security documents and consists of three major parts. The first part analyses Regional Security Cooperation as it is stated in the National Security Strategies of Western Balkans countries. The second part compares the perception of the Relations with International Security Organizations and Approaches to the International Order. Finally, the third part, analyses Interests and Values reflected in these official strategic documents as a fundamental input to the perceptions that shape the Strategic Culture of these countries.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2013.v4n10p636