Slika jednog društva. Životne prilike na srpskom selu 1945-1955.
The Image Of The Society, Living Conditions In Serbian Village 1945-1955

Summary/Abstract: Historical circumstances and the unequal economic development represented the main causes of the significant regional differences in the life standard and cultural habits of Serbian peasants. However, despite of considerable regional disparities, widespread poverty, the miserable housing conditions, poor diet, lack of personal and communal hygiene, ignorance and primitive folk customs shaped the gloomy reality of Serbian peasantry. Slow modernization processes, that started during the 1930-ies, where stopped during the war. Immediately after the liberation the new authorities try to educate the villagers, both practically and ideologically. Literacy courses, along with basic tips on home maintenance, meal preparation and bringing up of infants represented the core edu-cational activities that were supposed to lead to the improvement of the living conditions on Serbian villages. However, centuries-old backwardness could not be easily uprooted and eradicated. Moreover, the modest level of education of Party officials, along with strict dogmatic views and declarative enthusiasm of Party activists could not lead to the genuine modernization. Thus, educational efforts were never systematic - authorities were not prepared to invest scares financial resources in education and life standard, since the political and economic priority always was recognized in heavy industry. Furthermore, it fell to the local Party officials to become leaders of modernization processes in socialist Yugoslavia.

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