Two types of regionalism are relavant in understanding regional disruptions in the Balkans: outer/interstate and inner/intrastate regionalism. The Balkans are characterized by its polymorphous structure and the concentration of diversities. The long history of strong influences of non-Balkan hegemons in the region creates the impression that the Balkans have been put together by the outside pressures rather than by the authentic regional development itself. Therefore the reactions to attempts at homogenization have so far been deep and painful disruptions. Oscillations between closer cooperation and deeper disruptions indicate that there is no need to impose strongly institutionalized cooperative schemes, particularly in the transitional phase when the societies are loosely structured and the identities change fastly.