The Geopolitics, History, and Culture of the Balkans
Why does the Balkans always draw political elites’ and people’s attention in Turkey?
Because Turkey and the Balkans share a common history and have strong economic, cultural and strategic ties.
The term geopolitics was coined by Rudolf Kjellén. How does he shortly define geopolitics?
According to Kjellén, ‘geo-politics’ is the geographical influence on the behavior of states (Tunander, 2001: 457).
What is the meaning of Ratzel's concept of "Lebensraum"?
Living space
Which continents are part of Mackinder's notion of “World-Island”?
Africa, Asia and Europe
What are the geographical borders of the Balkan peninsula?
From the southeastern part of Europe a jagged, mountainous peninsula stretches out into the Eastern Mediterranean basin between the Adriatic and Black Seas. This peninsula is separated from Asia Minor by the narrow waters of the Turkish Straits, a strategic gateway separating Europe from Asia.
What does the word "Balkan" mean in Turkish?
The word “Balkan” means “mountain” in Turkish.
A new term, “Western Balkans”, was brought up after the EU summit in Thessaloniki in 2003. Which countries comprise Western Balkans?
Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo (European Commision, 2020a).
Many actors pursue exerting influence over the Balkans by using economic, political, cultural etc. tools. What are those distinct external players?
EU, USA, Russia, China, Gulf countries and Turkey
What does the scenario “The hour of Europe” refer to?
The disputes between Western Balkan states are resolved, economic growth is witnessed all over the region, Montenegro and Serbia are members of the European Union, while the remaining Balkan countries have made irreversible progress towards European integration.
What is the meaning of "Great Schism" of 1054?
It is an event separated the Byzantine and Roman churches as a result of the mutual excommunication of each other by the Pope Leo IX and the Patriarch of Constantinople over doctrinal and jurisdictional issues.
What does "interregnum" mean in the Ottoman Balkan context?
Interregnum refers to the phase of dynastic warfare between the four sons of Beyazid I following the battle of Ankara in which the Ottomans were defeated by Timur “the Lame” of Central Asia.
What is the meaning of "vassal state"?
Vassal state is a part-sovereign state getting privileges from the suzerain in return for military support or paying tribute.
How did Sultan Mehmed II used Ottoman Millet system for Christians?
Mehmet II organised the Orthodox Church as a millet (community) under the Patriarch who had “almost absolute jurisdiction” over the Orthodox Ottoman subjects (Vucinich, 1962: 605). Although non-Muslims were deemed inferior in status and paid additional taxes, they enjoyed autonomy on civil matters as the religious communities of the millet system (Gallagher, 2001: 24-25).
What is the name of the system of human taxation in which the Ottomans took male children from the Christian families and brought them up in the Islamic faith in order to recruit soldiers and bureaucrats?
Devşirme system
Which two Balkan nations were the pioneers in revolting against the Ottomans at the beginning of the 19th century?
Serbians and Greeks
The ethnic, religious, linguistic, and cultural diversity in the Balkans prevented the efforts for regional cooperation on the one hand, and led to the deepening of regional internal security concerns on the other hand (Larrabee, 2008: 1). Which region in Europe is a contrary example to this situation in the Balkans?
Scandinavia
Balkan countries have many similarities and common problems. For instance, all Balkan countries, in spite of their linguistic and religious differences, share almost similar peasant culture, and have predominantly agricultural economies. What is the concept that these similarity factors led to the Balkans being called in Western terminology?
Powder keg
Which Balkan country owns the highest percentage of Muslims in its population?
Kosovo
Which Balkan country owns the highest ethnic Turkish population?
Bulgaria
What is the name of the traditional folk music of Bosnia and Herzegovina that mostly includes feelings of love?
Sevdalinka