Симболи и кључне речи у дискурсу политичких странака у Србији почетком 20. века
Symbols and Key Words in the Discourse of Political Parties in Serbia at the Beginning of 20″‘ Century

Summary/Abstract: Political parties in Serbia were established in 1881, when all of the three parties, which marked Serbian political history in the following decades (Radical, Progressive and Liberal) were founded. These parties were made within the frames of thin metropolitan elite, while their leaders were mostly intelectuals, who, being the most educated part of the society, necessarily took part in the political scene. Parties experienced the greatest changes after the overthrow in May 1903. Except for the Radical Party, all other parties had their programs changed and adjusted to the new, more modern political conditions. The greatest turmoil was caused by the split of People's Radical Party, from which Independent Radical Party seceded in 1904. These changes inspired all the parties to search for a new identity in the new conditions, to present themselves to the voters in the way they believed would bring them the most followers. The ruling People's Radical Party presented itself in the public with the rhetorics full of wormth and emotions unusual for modern political discourse. Speaking about the party, they mostly used two symbols – symbol of home and the symbol of the army. That traditionalistic language and symbols used in description of their own party, could be understood as a form of expressing the basic sentiment of both the membership and the leadeship. Therefore „people“ was the key word of the Radicals' speeches by which they wanted to show that there is „a sign of equality between the party and the Serbian nation“ and to disqualify political oponents by this pre-election slogan. Other parties built their identity mainly oposing the Radicals, trying to find their rheto-rics, symbols and key words in modern european political language. Therefore „an indi-vidual“ had become key term of the Progressives, while the Independents, close to the French socialists had chosen „society“. Despite modernization, key tone to the political life was given by the ruling Radical party. Thus was created a hybrid model of democracy, which should have adjusted modern forms to the old customs.

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