INTEGRATION OF TRANSBORDER ETHNIC COMMUNITIES INTO THE KIN-STATE AND HOME-STATE. The case of the Croat community in Herzegovina

Subasic, Mate ORCID: 0000-0002-2870-4304 (2023) INTEGRATION OF TRANSBORDER ETHNIC COMMUNITIES INTO THE KIN-STATE AND HOME-STATE. The case of the Croat community in Herzegovina. PhD thesis, University of Liverpool.

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Abstract

The relevance of transborder ethnic communities has increased significantly in the last three decades, but the literature has not yet looked at the long-term implications of the kin-state relations. This thesis fills this gap by developing a long-term model of kin-state relations to investigate how the dynamics of the kin-state relations impact the integration of the transborder ethnic communities in the long-term. The model first identifies changing dynamics of kin-state relations at the macro-level, and then, at the micro-level, establishes how the changing dynamics impact integration of individuals into their kin-state and home-state. By applying the bottom-up approach, integration is conceptualised through meanings individuals assign to the concepts of territory, border, and citizenship. Methodologically a single case study, the thesis applies interviews and focus group methods. The case of Croats from Herzegovina had been strategically chosen for the longevity and complexity of the kin-state relations between them and Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. At the macro-level, the thesis demonstrates, first, that the kin-state relations can change from conflict-conducive towards accommodative. In this process, the kin-state policies become normalised within the kin-state. Second, the divided statehood remains a source of perpetual competing claims within the home-state and enables the transborder ethnic community to utilise kin-minority and kin-majority policies, regardless of their constitutional status. Third, the thesis demonstrates how the kin-state can expand its policies once it enters the EU by aligning the EU’s policies towards prospective states where the transborder community resides. At the micro-level, the thesis demonstrates how changing dynamics of the kin-state relations impact transborder integration into the kin-state and home-state. Improved border management between Croatia and BiH amplified the sense of separation from the kin-state but also the sense of unity for the recognition the Croats in Herzegovina receive when they cross the border. The meanings participants assign to citizenship changed too – in relation to the perception of inclusion into the kin-state, the type and extent of opportunities that kin-stare provides, and the routinisation of citizenship acquisition practice. The changes then inform their experiences across the kin-state and home-state and exacerbate their feeling of in-betweenness – the transborder ethnic community seeks recognition of their integration into the home-state and the kin-state that is not mutually exclusive.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Divisions:	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences > School of Histories, Languages and Cultures
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	25 Aug 2023 12:43
Last Modified:	25 Aug 2023 12:44
DOI:	10.17638/03166969
Supervisors:	Harris, Erika
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3166969