Seeking Independence, or

Seeking a King?
Albanian Hopes for a Better
Government in 1908 and 2012
Timothy Hagen
English 101 and 105
Epoka University
14 November 2012

Albanian Hopes in 1908

Research Question: What was the attitude of Albanians
towards independence in 1908?
Method: A reading of Edith Durhams High Albania (1909)
Results: Many Albanians whom Durham met in northern
Albania in 1908 did not ask for independencethey asked
for a king from Western Europe who could do a lot for the
country; essentially, they asked for a better government
and a reduction of violence.
Analysis: This request for a king is not based on knowledge
of what a Western king would do, but on a desire to escape
the misery of the moment. Hidden behind the request may
have been a hope for some real independence obtained by
playing off one power against another.

Albanian Hopes (and Worries)

Concerning EU Membership
Research Question: Albania is trying
to join the EU. What do Albanians
think about this today, in 2012?
Method: Review of recent literature
and conducting a small qualitative
interview

Albanian Hopes (and Worries)

Concerning EU Membership
Results:
Literature: 81-88% (Gallup 2006-11); 92% (Yenign,
zcan, and Baltac 2011)
Surveys
Hopes: Increase stability in region, reduce corruption, improve
honest competition and transparency
Worries: Wont reduce corruption, will hurt small businesses
and farmers

Analysis:
Some Albanians still seem to look to the West for a
better government and peace.
Need to keep discussing issue to make an informed
decision

References
Durham, Edith. 1909. High Albania. London:
Edward Arnold. Archive.org.
Gallup Balkan Monitor. 2006-2011. Survey
Data. http://www.balkan-monitor.eu
Yenign Cneyt, Salih zcan, and Cemal
Baltac et al. 2011. Albanian Public
Perceptions of Socio-Cultural and Foreign
Policy Issues. The Center for European Studies
and the Department of Political Science and
International Relations at Epoka University.