Religious nationalism: The Balkan experience

This paper examines the pivotal role of religion in shaping Balkan nationalisms. It aims to identify specific aspects of this process and categorize local nationalisms accordingly. Employing phenomenological analysis, the study explores the development of national identity in the Balkans, operating under the central assumption that religion has been crucial in defining identity boundaries. While acknowledging the significance of language, particularly in the Albanian context, the paper primarily focuses on the religion’s impact. The analysis begins by considering historical-institutional settings, positing that religious nationalism in the Balkans should be viewed as a product of specific historical developments marked by key turning points that determined this development, including identity movements. The key findings highlight religion as a primary driver of national identity formation in the Balkans. The linguistic similarities among the South Slavic population further facilitated this development, with religious communities emerging as central players in shaping national identities.