Independence and the State

As had earlier been the case with all other Balkan states Albania gained its place in the political map of Europe as the result of the efforts of a national movement which fought for independence from a Ottoman Empire in its death throws. The founding of the independent state of Albania consisted initially in nothing more than the declaration of independence from foreign rule. From then on Albanians faced the much more daunting challenge of building a proper, modern and functional state; an effort that has been characterized by crisis, difficulties and that is still continuing in our time.
When the Albanians declared the independence of their state the Balkans were involved in a series of bloody conflicts, known as the First and Second Balkan War that was shortly to be followed by an even bloodier and greater conflict that was in no small measure linked to events in the Balkans. These dramatic events, the turmoil of those years, the expansionist policies of Albania’s neighbors as well as the policies of the Great Powers presented the newly founded state with a serious existential threat. Indeed Albania at the time, which was not simply far from being a modern, functional state but possessed only a declaration of independence and recognition by the League of Nations of all the elements that make a state, faced the real threat of being split up between expansionist and hostile neighbors.
Only during the rule of Ahmet Zogu, soon to become King Zog I, did Albania start to develop the basic structures of a modern state; an effort fraught with difficulties not simply because of domestic problems and challenges, but also due to an unfavorable international situation. Due to these difficulties even during the years of his rule and up to the end of the Second World War the Albanians once again did not have a modern state, but a formal proclamation of independence and the illusion of a functioning state.
Then came the Communist regime under which the state functioned in the most absurd manner one could think of. There was a new proclamation of independence, but independence conceived of as complete isolation from the rest of the world while the state functioned along the lines of an utopist and violence prone model which resulted in the deformation of Albanian society, the destruction and collapse of its economy and the oppression of one half of the population at the ends of the other half.
Some might think that these belong to the past, nothing more than ancient history and that Albania is now well on its way towards becoming a modern state. Unfortunately this is not the case. 95 years ago the Albanian political elite was mobilized, united and brought about the declaration of the independence of Albania as an act of resistance towards foreign ruler and invaders. In our days almost a century later it would seem that the challenge of strengthening the state and making it more functional is much easier, thanks in no small part to a friendly international community and dynamic, which is very far removed from those dark days in the history of the Balkans and of the world, during which Albania was borne. Under such circumstances it is certainly easier to build a modern state based on the ideals of liberty and individual freedom. Alas Albania’s seemingly never ending transition has time and again demonstrated that we are still far from being a modern state. Political disagreements and conflicts within the political elite have continually been detrimental to efforts of achieving the elusive ideals of a strong and functional democratic state. Even during the festive celebrations of the anniversary of Albania’s independence the government and the opposition were divided. It may have been nothing more than a political gesture on their part, but it is nonetheless very significant as it shows the primitive level at which our politics operate. 95 years after the proclamation of independence Albania is certainly independent and Albanians can be proud of that. On the other hand Albanians should make use of this occasion in order to reflect and understand that having an own state does not simply mean being independent from other countries.