This book provides a broad, interdisciplinary analysis of events impacting on North Macedonia since its independence, particularly during the last decade. In the past thirty years, the country has gone through deep political, social and economic transition, along with a name change from ‘Macedonia’ to the ‘Republic of North Macedonia’ following the Prespa Agreement signed with Greece. The contributors consider Macedonia’s challenges, its multi-ethnic make-up and its ambition to enter the European mainstream through the auspices of the European Union and NATO. The volume includes chapters on international politics and North Macedonia’s place in the region’s security architecture as well as the difficulties of the privatisation of socially owned enterprises, political corruption, state capture and backsliding. The book also covers the controversial ‘Skopje 2014’ project in addition to the impact of migration along the ‘Balkan Route’ and the current wranglings with Bulgaria over identity politics.

The Balkan name is often used as a synonym of war, divisions and hostilities along the national lines, lack of civilization, etc. This image, not always true, is more or less a real reflection of the past, partly of the present, and we hope not of the future . Nowadays the most commonly heard word is transition, or even integration. In line with the new context of relations between the Balkan states is the new denomination of this region as Southeast Europe. This name just as the Balkans does not only express geographic, but also political names. It expresses the willingness of these states to integrate into the European Union and NATO. It is an indication of their will to resolve the problems peacefully, to focus on economic development and the building of democratic states. One word is aimed at completing the story in the Balkans. And the end of history is still developing, because these countries are in the transition phase.In this paper we will talk about the political and economic transition of Macedonia from the authoritarian (communist) regime as part of the Yugoslav federation in the democratic regime as an independent state after 1990. The paper aims to highlight the transition process to this day. Achievements and failures. In the paper we will argue that the transition to democracy is still a struggle that Macedonia has not won. She is also in danger of losing it.Initially, the paper will address the theoretical aspect of transition. We will make a clear definition of key concepts such as "transition", "regime", "authoritarianism" and "democracy". This theoretical introduction serves as a recipe for appreciating the political and economic transition of Macedonia.The paper continues to address in more detail the political and economic transition in Macedonia. Of course, we will also talk about the basic components that are indicative of successful democratic transition. Civil society, human rights, media, minorities, etc., are an important place in the paper. In the end, we will address the current state of transition in Macedonia, and trends towards the future. In the end we have the conclusions that summarize the main findings of the paper.

"This is a most worthy and timely contribution which will clearly have an impact on regional studies of the Balkans, the new Eastern Europe, and post communism." - Martyn Rady, Masaryk Professor Emeritus of Central European History, School of Slavonic and East European Studies, University College London, UK This book provides a broad, interdisciplinary analysis of events impacting on North Macedonia since its independence, particularly during the last decade. In the past thirty years, the country has gone through deep political, social and economic transition, along with a name change from 'Macedonia' to the 'Republic of North Macedonia' following the Prespa Agreement signed with Greece. The contributors consider Macedonia's challenges, its multi-ethnic make-up and its ambition to enter the European mainstream through the auspices of the European Union and NATO. The volume includes chapters on international politics and North Macedonia's place in the region's security architecture as well as the difficulties of the privatisation of socially owned enterprises, political corruption, state capture and backsliding. The book also covers the controversial 'Skopje 2014' project in addition to the impact of migration along the 'Balkan Route' and the current wranglings with Bulgaria over identity politics. Robert Hudson is Emeritus Professor in European History and Cultural Politics at the University of Derby, UK, Professor honoris causa at University American College Skopje, North Macedonia and the former Director of the Identity, Conflict, and Representation Research Centre. Ivan Dodovski is Professor in Critical Theory and Dean of the School of Political Science at University American College Skopje, North Macedonia.

The paper discusses the connection between the level of economic development and the political system of the Republic of Macedonia. Following Herbert Kitschelt's classification of communist regimes as bureaucratic-authoritarian, national-accommodative and patrimonial varieties, the paper classifies Macedonia as belonging to the patrimonial type, since in the post-communist period it was reproduced in the form of a political machine in which formal democratized institutions became prey to the leading groups of political parties. Together with the uncertainty which followed the break-up of Yugoslavia, the continuation of patrimonial traditions through patronage and corruption hampered economic development. Under these circumstances, the politics of liberalization, deregulation and privatization supported by the international financial institutions were not able to achieve their proclaimed economic development goals.

The twentieth anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall saw many reflect on the political, economic and social changes of recent years. The legacy of communism and the economic prospects of post-communist countries are rigorously analysed in this stimulating study of the long term consequences of transition.

One of the central challenges facing Macedonia, along with other Yugoslav successor states, is to develop civic values and to combat such uncivic values as ethnic intolerance, religious bigotry, and homophobia. This volume brings together specialists in Macedonian affairs to offer insights into the experiences and values of the Macedonians.