Publications

Bernd J. Fischer, Balkan Strongmen
"Balkan Strongmen" is a book that appeals to both students and public as well to anyone with interest on studying history and politics of the Balkans. By this text, it is easily understood that it is time to examine their power in light of the political cultures, the social institutions and visions of democracy and modernity that enabled their rule. The book is divided in two parts that correspond to the interwar and postwar decades.
Authoritarian leaders such as Enver Hoxha, Todor Zhivkov, Josip Broz Tito and Slobodan Milosevic are part of a time-honored tradition of Balkan authoritarian rule that saw the domination of some of the most colorful but also brutal leaders of twentieth century. Among the latter were the wartime Croatian fascist Ante Pavlevic and Nicolae Ceausescu. Royal absolutists from the interwar period - Zog of Albania, Alexander of Yugoslavia and Carol II of Romania - and the Greek military dictators General Metaxas (1930s) and Colonel Papadopoulos (1967-74) are included. It also gives an introduction of Kemal Ataturk of Turkey, and the extraordinary case of Josip Broz Tito when a dictator can do charity.
Policy makers, politicians, students, journalists and all those who are interested, political and historical studies must read Balkans Strongmen. The book is available at the library of the Albanian Council on Foreign Relations.