Lessons from Albania

There are lessons to be learned from the crisis in Albania. Public dissatisfaction, unless accommodated and responded to by the existing political system, has a lot of potential to bring about a "people power" type of resistance.

Slow action by the state security apparatus to control an overheating political situation can have fatal consequences and endanger the survival of the nation-state. The Albanian case also teaches us that -- just as an overly domineering state is undesirable -- nobody has any use for an overly feeble state.

The prevalence of popular discontent and the weakness of the state are elements that distinguish the Albanian crisis from the one in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The integrity of the Bosnian nation- state was endangered by a project of ethnic cleansing executed by an outside party (Serbia). Albania, on the other hand, appears to be digging its own grave. The future of the nation-state is being threatened by an internal political managerial ineptitude.

To learn from Albania means to recognize that a strong state is needed that is capable of controlling its citizens while at the same time remaining responsive and accommodating toward the people's aspirations and their interests. By observing these rules, we may be able to prevent the breakdown of our nation- state.

-- Republika, Jakarta