This book analyzes the central vision of three student movements organized by different generations of Kosovo Albanian students in 1968, 1981 and 1997. By examining the dynamics of the demonstrations, the author explores the dimensions, forms and implications of student uprisings and resistance, as well as the struggles for dominance by local (Kosovo), federal (SFRY), regional (Albania and Serbia) and international actors (outside the Balkans). While these demonstrations were organized by students, the book shows that these were not necessarily academic but political, highlighting the impact that students had on society to demonstrate. It examines how the vision for Republic status or independence impacted the first and subsequent student movements. Moreover, due to the richness of the empirical data included, this book contributes toward further discussions on social movements, nationalism and state theories.

Atdhe Hetemi completed his PhD at the University of Ghent, Belgium, in 2020. He has led and participated in various programs with the UNDP, USAID, the Centre on Social Movement Studies of the Scuola Normale Superiore in Florence, the Institute for Advanced Studies in Hungary and the University of Regensberg in Germany.

1. Introduction.- 2. Uneasy Liaison: Albanians and South Slavs in the Former Yugoslavia.- 3. Social Movements Between Demands for Social Change, Justice and Nationalism (the 1960s).- 4. The University of Prishtina (UP): Between Politics and Academia.- 5. Propaganda: Different Responses to the 1981 Demonstrations.- 6. The Unfolding of Kosovar Activism (the 1990s).- 7. Conclusions.- Epilogue.