Ethnicity in the Former Yugoslavia

Does it hinder or advance Political Development?

Some Facts on Yugoslavia 6 Socialist republics: BH, Croatia, Macedonia,

Montenegro, Slovenia, Serbia (Kosovo, Vojvodina)

Republic of Serbia most populated, Montenegro least populated

Between’71/’81 census there was a population growth and that was because of a rise in the standard of living

Before the War there were 1.5 million Yugoslavs living in other countries

More facts on Yugoslavia

Yugoslavia borders 7 countries: Austria, Hungry, Italy, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Albania

Serbo-Croatian, Slovenian, Macedonian were all official languages

Capital of Yugoslavia was Belgrade, now is just the capital of Serbia

Last Slide on Facts

Communist Party came into power in 1921 and remained until Tito’s death– primary task at the time was to

draw attention to all the nations and nationalities of Yugoslavia and to defend the countries unity and independence against Fascist aggression

What is Ethnicity?

Characteristics of internally and externally defined groups who behave and are regarded as a distinctive social entity

History of how Ethnicity has Affected Yugoslavia

The revolutionary movements in Europe at the end of the 18th and 19th centuries, the expansion of capitalism, the beginning of an organized working-class movement, and the process of nation building, were all factors which exerted a strong influence on the struggle waged by the Yugoslav peoples for nation-building, socio-economic development and affirmation of statehood.

History of Ethnicity

Serbia and Montenegro had liberated themselves and in 1878 their recognition was seen on an international level

South Slavs wanted a common state– hoped to successfully ensure external

pressures and national survival and independent economic political and cultural development

More Ethnicity The ruling Serbian bourgeoisie refused

to recognized the national identity of the Macedonians, Montenegrins and Muslims

The constitution adopted in 1921, by a majority of 223 out of a total 413 votes in Parliament, legally sanctioned national inequality and a highly centralized system of gov’t

20%

6%

3%

9%

36%

8%

8%

5%5%

CroatsMacedoniansMontenegrinsMuslimsSerbsSlovenesAlbaniansYugoslavsOther

Nations, Nationalities and Ethnic Groups in the Former Yugoslavia,

1981

Diversity Within the Former Yugoslavia

Bosnia-Herzegovina

Croatia Macedonia Montenegro Slovenia Serbia

4,124 4,601 1,090 584 1,892 5,695

Catholic,Orthodox,Muslim

Catholic,Orthodox

Orthodox,Muslim

Orthodox CatholicOrthodoxMuslim,OrthodoxCatholic

Serbo-Croatian

Serbo-Croatian

MacedonianAlbanian

Serbo-Croatian

SlovenianSerbo-Croatian,Albanian

Ethnic Composition of Yugoslav Successor States

(1992)

0102030405060708090

100Sloven

ia

Croatia

Bosnia-H

Maced

onia

Yug

oslavia

Serb

ia

Kosovo

SlovenesSerbsCroatsOtherMuslimsYugoslavsMacedoniansAlbaniansMontenegrins

Ethnicity and Political Development

Must take into account both the constraints and the opportunities

5 subjects which incorporate development (Weiner) – Policies helping economic growth– Increased role for state– Expanded participation– Ability to maintain order under change– Explanation of revolutions

Problems Instability Compromise (us vs. them attitude) Autonomy Rise of nationalist movements Lack of economic growth Nation-state theory Death of Tito, fall of communism

– one party system to multi-ethnic parties

Dayton Peace Agreement

Recognition of other states Respect human rights Cooperation/Compliance Supervised elections A new constitution Central bank/monetary system Establish transportation/public

facilities

What needs to happen for Political Development to

work Democracy Must have gov’t which doesn’t cater to

the hatreds - Milosevic did Must avoid disintegration Social, political, economic unrest Until all people in Yugoslavia can

recognize and comprehend the other cultures, ethnicity will hinder Political Development