Abstract One of the major goals international community's intervention into Balkans is rebuilding "viable multiethnic societies". Such societies require support from a population that builds inclusive social capital. I applied network theory to interethnic relations help identify conditions under which minorities could embark on this arduous task in divided, war-torn societies, like Bosnia-Herzegovina. Analysis data interviews and participant observation indicate institutions positive...

After suffering years of war, Bosnia is now the target international efforts to reconstruct and democratize a culturally divided society. The global community's strategy has focused on reforming political institutions, influencing behavior elite populations, cultivating nongovernmental organizations. But expensive promote stable peace multiethnic democracy can be successful only if they resonate among ordinary people. Otherwise, such projects will produce fragile institutions alienated...

Many politicians manipulate information to prevent voters from holding them accountable; however, mobile text messages may make it easier for nongovernmental organizations credibly share on official corruption that is difficult counter directly. We test the potential texts budget management improve democratic accountability by conducting a large (n = 16,083) randomized controlled trial during 2016 Ugandan district elections. In cooperation with local partner, we compiled, simplified, and...

Abstract Parties willing to engage in cross-ethnic political cooperation are essential for the stability and democracy of ethnically divided post-conflict states. The investigation voting Macedonia Bosnia, which similarly small, impoverished, fragmented threatened states that arose out Yugoslavia, helps uncover factors encourage voters support parties cooperative multiethnic governance. Analysis survey data suggests supporters non-nationalist challengers first post-violence elections...

The essays in this collection bring together recent field research the Western Balkans to increase our understanding of conditions under which European and Euro-Atlantic institutions' condit...

Abstract Mobile communication technologies can provide citizens access to information that is tailored their specific circumstances. Such may therefore increase citizens’ ability vote in line with interests and hold politicians accountable. In a large-scale randomized controlled trial Uganda (n = 16,083), we investigated whether who receive private, timely, individualized text messages by mobile phone about public services community punished or rewarded incumbents local elections the...

Qualitative studies featuring in-depth research have recently pushed back against characterizations of citizens in post-conflict Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH) as passive. After mobilizations 2014, how do BiH engage public action, and what factors explain their participation? This article uses data from an original, nationally representative survey to depict civic engagement investigate the proposition that action when these efforts address primary concerns—everyday social problems, rather than...

Despite decades of Western assistance seeking to develop civil societies in the countries former Yugoslavia, many local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) lack strong bases their societies. This field-based study citizens’ views Western-aided women’s four Serbian towns uses frame resonance explore why. In interviews, citizens felt that NGOs worked on issues are abstract, unimportant, narrowly focused, and/or imported, even imposed. could increase ties public by pursuing activities better...

This article investigates the impact of international efforts to cultivate effective and authoritative local governing institutions in Western Balkans, a prime testing ground for democratization aid post-war states. It explores three hypotheses, each which argues that particular approach actors toward domestic officials best improves quality governance. The study's gathering interview survey data from field-based enables it evaluate government reforms' on communities. investigation arrives...

Why has international investment into reforming local governance in post‐conflict societies produced mixed results? Drawing on new institutionalism, the authors expect reform outcomes, even of comprehensive assistance, to be shaped by interaction between and old rules, an mediated elites. This expectation is explored three pairs comparable municipalities Bosnia‐Herzegovina. Using data collected through field research original index government performance, we find that most achieved...

International assistance programs for local governance in Bosnia have been most effective situations where the initial level of governing capacity is low; office competitive; and leaders are practical, entrepreneurial consensus builders. Politicization, however, frustrates citizen participation, civic organizations do not seem to an impact on performance.

ABSTRACT Undergraduate students today face a more demanding and competitive labor market than their parents’ generation. In response, some pursue double majors to signal breadth potential employers improve job prospects. Some also realize that strong of workplace readiness is acquiring in-demand skills through independent collaborative research. this article, four professors at an undergraduate-focused public university in the United States share experiences working with undergraduate on...

Internationally led local governance reforms provide a window into understanding the challenges of state-building at level government that matters concretely to everyday lives Western Balkan peoples.Field work is critical for processes reform and influence international domestic actors have on them.Over time project, I increased my collaboration with scholars in order gain deeper peoples' ideas about impact reforms.I am currently partnering Bosnian design, gather, analyze different types...