NCJ Number
222061
Journal
British Journal of Criminology Volume: 48 Issue: 2 Dated: March 2008 Pages: 226-246
Date Published
March 2008
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This paper explores both the role of culture and ‘culture conflict’ in shaping contemporary Albanian views on violent crime in Albania, Kosovo, and Macedonia.
Abstract
Albanian society is undergoing a period of rapid change. The findings of the research suggest that while the traditional values have been severely weakened, new ones have not yet taken their place. Thus, while an Albanian ‘culture of violence’ and interpretations of customary Kanun laws may be factors in ethnic Albanian violent crime, the research findings suggest that ‘conflict of conduct norms’ rather than any traditional ‘culture of violence’ may better explain recent increases in crime. Utilizing a cross-national survey with ethnic Albanian respondents from Albania, Kosovo, and Macedonia conducted in 2006, this paper examines whether violence in contemporary Albania is a structured phenomenon linked to Albanian customary laws, such as the Kanun of Lek Dukagjini, or whether it is a product of social confusion and ‘culture conflict’. It is argued that the expansion of Western legal norms in the Albanian territories has caused a ‘culture conflict’ within the society. Figures, table, references