Civic Virtues vs. Market Values in the Balkans

Abstract

The great dreams of dissidents for civil society as a guarantee for a just life confront many economic, social, and political dilemmas. This state of affairs worsened in the Balkans following the wars in Bosnia and Kosovo, and the United Nations sanctions against Yugoslavia, Initially, the resolution of all problems was associated with market values, while ascribing only secondary importance to civic virtues, A market economy depends on civil society, but market values do little for strengthening civic virtues in the region, leading to a vicious circle of rudimentary civic virtues and an underdeveloped economy. The growing non-governmental sector within civil society remains an artificial appendage, since it relies heavily on international financing and is likely to disappear if this support ceases for any reasons. The only probable way out of this predicament is for citizens not to abandon the ideal of civic, classical, and religious virtues, and be hopeful despite current conditions.