Kosovo: Dilemmas of statehood

This thesis seeks to assess the political position of Kosovo in the world stage two years after it declared independence, analyze the role of the international community in determining this position, and explore the significance of recognition in terms of political legitimacy. It also ponders how Kosovo's case can inform similar situations in the world. I argue that Kosovo's case has challenged the concepts of state-formation and political legitimacy, and that these concepts are constantly shifting. I also argue that there are circumstances that make Kosovo's case unique. However whether it becomes a precedent or not will depend on the will of those forces that by lending or denying their support, determined Kosovo's situation today. And finally, I argue that national, regional and international contexts make it difficult to predict when and how the situation will change in terms of future recognition and clarity about political status.