This book examines Albania's post-communist transition from 1990 to 2020, highlighting the challenges of state-building, democratization, and EU integration. It recounts the historical impact of Ottoman and communist rule, the peaceful yet incomplete transition to democracy, as well as corruption, weak institutions, and economic inequality.
Despite Albania’s progress in freedoms and the opening of EU negotiations, unresolved issues of justice, collective memory, and poor governance hinder democratic consolidation. The book brings together insights from Albanian and international experts and offers a critical reflection on Albania's past, shaping the country’s future.