Navigating the Complexities of Democracy Promotion by the European Union: Lessons from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

This article analyzes the European Union’s (EU) adoption of a liberal intervention approach within post-conflict regions, with a particular emphasis on the Western Balkans, notably Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The EU’s democracy promotion initiatives in BiH center around priorities such as good governance, bolstering civil society, and safeguarding human rights. However, the efficacy of promoting civil society in nascent political systems raises a crucial question: to what extent does promoting civil society in the context of undeveloped political systems hinder rather than facilitate the consolidation of democracy? Despite the EU’s efforts, influenced by Europeanization and the liberal democratic model emphasizing civil society, BiH faces inherent challenges at the national level. First, this study examines the dual role of the EU in BiH as a “peace governor” and a “democracy promoter,” scrutinizing the intricacies of the EU civil society promotion mechanisms. Then, it analyzes the challenges and repercussions of civil society promotion on democracy consolidation in BiH. The article also addresses BiH’s political and financial dependency on the EU, underlining the implications of Europeanization. It concludes with recommendations emphasizing a balanced integration of top-down and bottom-up approaches alongside BiH’s self-sufficiency as an essential factor in its democratic progression.