The Albanian Left. Exploration of its paradigm of values and democracy outcomes

Florian Çullhaj

Journal of Contemporary Central and Eastern Europe, 2025, vol. 33, issue 1, 147-165

Abstract: This article examines two key theoretical principles of John Rawls—equality and social justice—and their implications for democracy and the Albanian Left. At the heart of the analysis is Rawls’ seminal work, A Theory of Justice (TJ), which Norberto Bobbio identified as a synthesis of liberalism and socialism with a strong normative foundation. Scholars have lauded Rawls for reinvigorating political philosophy after its long stagnation since John Stuart Mill’s Reflections on Representative Government (1861). His work also integrates the political insights of Hobbes’ Leviathan (1651) and Locke’s Second Treatise of Government (1689), establishing a key reference for modern political thought. The article is structured into four sections. The first critically examines equality and social justice as a guiding framework for the Albanian Left. The second applies Bobbio’s liberal-socialist dyad to the Rawls-Nozick debate on the state’s role. The third explores issues in Albanian politics, including corruption, polarization, and governance challenges. Finally, the fourth section assesses Albania’s democratic consolidation. By engaging with Rawls’ theoretical contributions and their local relevance, this study aims to offer a nuanced perspective on democracy and the ideological positioning of the Albanian Left.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1080/25739638.2025.2466901

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