EKSTREMIZAM I HULIGANIZAM NA BALKANU

Abstract

Đorić, Marija. 2024. Ekstremizam i huliganizam na Balkanu. Beograd: Institut za političke studije. ISBN 978-86-7419-399-0

The book in front of you is the result of many years of work and summarizes all the experiences gained from the previous five monographs published by the author of the book, Dr. Marija Đorić. The entire focus of the monograph is on the so-called The Western Balkans, which is different from Europe. The moment in which this book was created was marked by tectonic political events. The war in Gaza, which threatens to ignite the entire Middle East (and beyond), the conflict in Ukraine, which is a world war (in miniature), the reshaping of the geopolitical structure of the world, the creation of a new value system and a great polarization in which we and they exist in the form of arch-enemies.

Guided by all these developments, the author decided on a regional and local analysis of the phenomenon of extremism and hooliganism, in order to at least briefly shed light on the “dark regions” of the Balkans. As it is impossible to act like a desert island in contemporary international relations, Dr. Marija Đorić often draws parallels with Europe and the rest of the world. Today, in the era of globalization, we are more connected than ever, and this is best seen in the example of extremism, which knows no borders and is becoming a “world” phenomenon. This is precisely why the author decided to point out all the pitfalls and obstacles that researchers (at the beginning of their careers) might face who would study extremism and hooliganism. Studying extremism is like “searching for the Holy Grail”. Only the persistent and those who have faith (in themselves and their knowledge) can persevere on that path of uncertainty.

Many sensitive issues are raised in this monograph: the return of terrorists from the battlefield, the gender dimension of extremism, the radicalization of vulnerable groups, the emergence of the coronavirus, the issue of mental health. A special segment of the book is devoted to hooliganism, as a relatively new phenomenon, because it (officially) only emerged in the 20th century, although violence in sports (and in connection with sports) is a primordial companion of the human species. Hooliganism in the Western Balkans is specific in that it is connected by steel chains to certain political circles, and this gives it infinite regenerative power. There has been a lot of debate about whether hooliganism in the Balkans is a form of extremism (primarily the extreme right). Today, hooliganism in our region is much less extremism and much more organized crime, which is a very important change during its decades-long genesis. Finally, readers can see an unusual case study from history through the analysis of “Sokol” and “Young Bosnia” and the correlation of sports and politics.

“The Balkans. Extremism. Hooliganism. It’s as if we’re talking about the Bermuda Triangle, which is ready to swallow everything in its vicinity. In order for that not to happen, we have to get to know him well.”