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Abstract
The focus of this paper is the question of whether democracy can thrive in limbo states in general and specifically in Kosovo. Limbo states are distinguished in the author’s previous work as the “weak state” subset of failed states, which have been described by scholars as states that no longer function as bordered regions with functional governments. Kosovo is divided between Albanians and Serbians and is experiencing internal division since its independence on 17 February 2008. Even though recognized by roughly half of the international community but not yet a member of the United Nations, the government of Kosovo is still challenged by minority Serbs in the north who reject the secession of Kosovo from Serbia. NATO still has a 5,600-strong NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) in Kosovo, almost 14 years since it went to war (1998-99) to halt the massacre and expulsion of Albanians by forces under Slobodan Milosevic (NATO/OTAN online, <http://www.noto.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_48818 .htm>).