Ethnicity in the Former
Yugoslavia
Does it hinder or advance
Political Development?
Some Facts on Yugoslavia
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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
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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
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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?
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Characteristics of internally and
externally defined groups who
behave and are regarded as a
distinctive social entity
History of how Ethnicity has
Affected Yugoslavia
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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
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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
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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
Nations, Nationalities and Ethnic
Groups in the Former Yugoslavia, 1981
5%
5%
20%
8%
6%
8%
3%
9%
36%
Croats
Macedonians
Montenegrins
Muslims
Serbs
Slovenes
Albanians
Yugoslavs
Other
Diversity Within the Former
Yugoslavia
BosniaCroatia
Herzegovina
4,124
4,601
Macedonia Montenegro Slovenia
1,090
584
Catholic,
Orthodox,
Muslim
Catholic,
Orthodox
Orthodox,
Muslim
SerboCroatian
SerboCroatian
Macedonian SerboAlbanian
Croatian
Orthodox
1,892
Catholic
Serbia
5,695
Orthodox
Muslim,
Orthodox
Catholic
SerboSlovenian Croatian,
Albanian
Kosovo
Serbia
Yugoslavia
Macedonia
Bosnia-H
Croatia
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Slovenia
Ethnic Composition of Yugoslav
Successor States (1992)
Slovenes
Serbs
Croats
Other
Muslims
Yugoslavs
Macedonians
Albanians
Montenegrins
Ethnicity and Political
Development
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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
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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
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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
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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