NATIONALISM AND MINORITIES
NATIONALISM AND MINORITIES
Author(s): Michael Freeman, Dragomir Pantić, Dušan Janjić
Subject(s): Nationalism Studies, Inter-Ethnic Relations, Ethnic Minorities Studies
Published by: Foruma za etničke odnose
Keywords: Nationalism; Liberalism; Minority Rights
Summary/Abstract: The Cold War was ideologically constituted as a conflict between Marxism and liberalism. This conflict inhibited recognition of the power of nationalism in late twentieth-century politics. Nationalism was important, it was generally conceded, in the “third” world, but, although the governments of the first and second worlds sought to mobilize third-world nationalism in their own causes, their justifying theories were not well suited to understand it. For Marxism, class membership was fundamental, and nationalism must either be an expression of class struggle or some form of “false consciousness”. For liberalism, nationalism was suspect because it was based on emotion rather than reason and was collectivistic rather than individualistic. For liberalism, too, nationalism was a form of “false consciousness”, i.e. “primitive” and “irrational”.
- Print-ISBN-10: 86-7093-067-6
- Page Count: 136
- Publication Year: 1995
- Language: English
MINORITY RIGHTS IN LIBERAL-DEMOCRATIC THEORY
MINORITY RIGHTS IN LIBERAL-DEMOCRATIC THEORY
(MINORITY RIGHTS IN LIBERAL-DEMOCRATIC THEORY)
- Author(s):Michael Freeman
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Nationalism Studies, Inter-Ethnic Relations, Ethnic Minorities Studies
- Page Range:9-14
- No. of Pages:6
THE PROSPECTS OF MULTI-CULTURAL SOCIETIES IN WESTERN AND EASTERN EUROPE
THE PROSPECTS OF MULTI-CULTURAL SOCIETIES IN WESTERN AND EASTERN EUROPE
(THE PROSPECTS OF MULTI-CULTURAL SOCIETIES IN WESTERN AND EASTERN EUROPE)
- Author(s):John Rex
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Inter-Ethnic Relations, Ethnic Minorities Studies
- Page Range:15-25
- No. of Pages:11
- Keywords:MULTI-CULTURAL SOCIETIES; ethnic minorities; labour migration;
- Summary/Abstract:John Rex discusses the challenges of multiculturalism in both Western and Eastern Europe, focusing on the complexities of integrating ethnic minorities, particularly in Britain and post-Communist countries. He examines the tension between promoting cultural diversity while ensuring equality of opportunity, as outlined in the Jenkins formula, and the difficulties of balancing minority cultures with a shared public culture. Rex also addresses the practical challenges in education systems, highlighting how schools become sites of conflict when attempting to reconcile cultural diversity with the demand for equal opportunities and integration.
CONCERNING THE CONSOCIATION OF ETHNIC GROUPS (Problems of Governing Multi-Ethnic Societies)
CONCERNING THE CONSOCIATION OF ETHNIC GROUPS (Problems of Governing Multi-Ethnic Societies)
(CONCERNING THE CONSOCIATION OF ETHNIC GROUPS (Problems of Governing Multi-Ethnic Societies))
- Author(s):Vojislav Stanovčić
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Nationalism Studies, Inter-Ethnic Relations, Ethnic Minorities Studies
- Page Range:26-34
- No. of Pages:9
- Keywords:Multi-Ethnic Societies;rule of law; human rights
THE POST-COMMUNIST APOTHEOSIS OF THE NATION-STATE AND THE OLD AND NEW MINORITIES
THE POST-COMMUNIST APOTHEOSIS OF THE NATION-STATE AND THE OLD AND NEW MINORITIES
(THE POST-COMMUNIST APOTHEOSIS OF THE NATION-STATE AND THE OLD AND NEW MINORITIES)
- Author(s):Vojin Dimitrijević
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Nationalism Studies, History of Communism, Inter-Ethnic Relations, Ethnic Minorities Studies
- Page Range:37-44
- No. of Pages:8
- Keywords:nationalism; communism; Cold War
MINORITY RIGHTS AND SELF-DETERMINATION IN CONTEMPORARY EASTERN EUROPE
MINORITY RIGHTS AND SELF-DETERMINATION IN CONTEMPORARY EASTERN EUROPE
(MINORITY RIGHTS AND SELF-DETERMINATION IN CONTEMPORARY EASTERN EUROPE)
- Author(s):Martyn Rady
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Nationalism Studies, Inter-Ethnic Relations, Ethnic Minorities Studies
- Page Range:45-50
- No. of Pages:6
- Keywords:national intolerance; national minorities; new national minorities
NATIONALISM AND THE POSITION OF NATIONAL MINORITIES IN POST-COMMUNIST COUNTRIES
NATIONALISM AND THE POSITION OF NATIONAL MINORITIES IN POST-COMMUNIST COUNTRIES
(NATIONALISM AND THE POSITION OF NATIONAL MINORITIES IN POST-COMMUNIST COUNTRIES)
- Author(s):Živko Surčulija
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Nationalism Studies, History of Communism, Post-Communist Transformation, Ethnic Minorities Studies
- Page Range:51-55
- No. of Pages:5
- Keywords:Nationalism; Communism
WOMEN AND NATIONALISM IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA
WOMEN AND NATIONALISM IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA
(WOMEN AND NATIONALISM IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA)
- Author(s):Wendy Bracewell
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Gender Studies, Gender history, Nationalism Studies
- Page Range:56-61
- No. of Pages:6
- Keywords:nationalism; minorities
- Summary/Abstract:This essay examines how nationalism in the former Yugoslavia has reshaped women's roles, positioning them as symbolic bearers of national identity while simultaneously limiting their rights and participation in public life. Despite formal equality under socialism, women faced persistent disadvantages, which have worsened with the rise of market economies and nationalist ideologies that valorize traditional patriarchal gender roles. Nationalist rhetoric has not only reinforced the idea of women as mothers of the nation but also blamed them for demographic decline, using gendered metaphors and policies to control their reproductive roles and confine them to the private sphere.
THE RUSHDIE AFAIR AND THE BOSNIAN “TROUBLES”: SOME READINGS AND MISREADINGS
THE RUSHDIE AFAIR AND THE BOSNIAN “TROUBLES”: SOME READINGS AND MISREADINGS
(THE RUSHDIE AFAIR AND THE BOSNIAN “TROUBLES”: SOME READINGS AND MISREADINGS)
- Author(s):William Webb
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Nationalism Studies, Inter-Ethnic Relations, Ethnic Minorities Studies
- Page Range:62-66
- No. of Pages:5
- Keywords:cultural identity; Salman Rushdie; cultural collision; ethnic violence
- Summary/Abstract:William Webb explores the complex interplay between literature, politics, and cultural identity, beginning with the British reaction to Salman Rushdie's The Satanic Verses and the cultural backlash it sparked, particularly among Muslim communities in the UK. He draws parallels between this domestic crisis and the deeper, more violent ethnic conflicts in Bosnia, highlighting how historical grievances, cultural disjunctions, and primitive impulses can resurface with brutal force. Ultimately, Webb warns that modern societies are not immune to ancient patterns of hatred and violence, which, once sanctioned by leaders or ideology, can erupt with terrifying consequences.
THE SERBIAN NATIONAL INTEREST IN THE VICIOUS CIRCLE OF ETHNO-NATIONALISM
THE SERBIAN NATIONAL INTEREST IN THE VICIOUS CIRCLE OF ETHNO-NATIONALISM
(THE SERBIAN NATIONAL INTEREST IN THE VICIOUS CIRCLE OF ETHNO-NATIONALISM)
- Author(s):Dijana P. Vukomanović
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Nationalism Studies, Post-Communist Transformation
- Page Range:67-74
- No. of Pages:8
- Keywords:Memorandum of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts; national interests; nationalism;Slobodan Milošević;anti-bureaucratic revolution
- Summary/Abstract:In the mid-1980s, Serbian intellectuals, including Dobrica Ćosić, formulated the controversial Memorandum of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, which portrayed Serbia as politically and economically disadvantaged within Yugoslavia and called for a redefinition of national interests. The Memorandum laid ideological groundwork for Serbian nationalism, later mobilized by Slobodan Milošević through populist rallies and the “anti-bureaucratic revolution,” which destabilized leaderships across Yugoslavia and deepened ethnic tensions, especially in Kosovo. This period saw the rise of parallel Serbian and Albanian institutions in Kosovo, nationalist rhetoric replacing class-based discourse, and the transformation of political power through ethnic mobilization rather than democratic processes.
NATIONAL PROBLEMS IN GREAT BRITAIN - IS THERE ANY LESSON FOR US?
NATIONAL PROBLEMS IN GREAT BRITAIN - IS THERE ANY LESSON FOR US?
(NATIONAL PROBLEMS IN GREAT BRITAIN - IS THERE ANY LESSON FOR US?)
- Author(s):Brana Marković
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Nationalism Studies, Inter-Ethnic Relations, Ethnic Minorities Studies
- Page Range:75-78
- No. of Pages:4
- Keywords:Separatism; National identity; Discrimination ; tripartite loyalty
- Summary/Abstract:Brana Marković analyzes national problems in post-Yugoslav states through a comparative lens, focusing on the United Kingdom's complex, “asymmetric” unitary structure as a potential source of insight. The essay explores how internal tensions in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales stem from historical inequalities, identity struggles, and demands for autonomy, paralleling issues seen in the former Yugoslavia. While no European model offers a perfect solution, Marković suggests that fostering equality, decentralization, and a “tripartite loyalty” to region, state, and Europe may help manage national diversity and prevent future conflict.
MINORITIES UNDER THE RULE OF NATIONALISM: THE CASE OF YUGOSLAVIA
MINORITIES UNDER THE RULE OF NATIONALISM: THE CASE OF YUGOSLAVIA
(MINORITIES UNDER THE RULE OF NATIONALISM: THE CASE OF YUGOSLAVIA)
- Author(s):Dušan Janjić
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Constitutional Law, Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Nationalism Studies, Inter-Ethnic Relations, Ethnic Minorities Studies
- Page Range:81-86
- No. of Pages:6
- Keywords:nationalism; minority rights; territorial autonomy
- Summary/Abstract:The former Yugoslavia initially offered a relatively progressive model for minority protection, with strong constitutional guarantees and cultural autonomy, but this system masked deeper tensions rooted in ethnic rivalry and suppressed national identities. With the rise of nationalism and the weakening of the federal center in the 1980s and 1990s, these tensions exploded, leading to discrimination, exclusionary state-building, and violent conflicts, as elites in both majority and minority groups pursued power through ethnically based nationalism. This culminated in the disintegration of the state, ethnic wars, and the creation of new national entities that institutionalized inequality and deepened inter-ethnic divisions, particularly evident in cases like Albanian-Serbian relations in Kosovo.
REFLECTIONS ON NATIONALISM AND MINORITIES IN YUGOSLAVIA
REFLECTIONS ON NATIONALISM AND MINORITIES IN YUGOSLAVIA
(REFLECTIONS ON NATIONALISM AND MINORITIES IN YUGOSLAVIA)
- Author(s):Branislava Alendar
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Nationalism Studies, Inter-Ethnic Relations, Ethnic Minorities Studies
- Page Range:87-92
- No. of Pages:6
- Keywords:Nationalism; Minorities ; Integration; Self-determination
- Summary/Abstract:Branislava Alendar explores the unique nature of nationalism and minority issues in Yugoslavia, highlighting how systemic collapse, decentralized federalism, and the failure of both domestic elites and the international community led to the disintegration of the state. The transition to democracy and market economy in Eastern Europe, particularly in Yugoslavia, lacked adequate institutional, financial, and legal support, leading to instability, weak rule of law, and the rise of nationalism as a substitute for lost ideological identities. Alendar warns that the formation of new ethnically-defined states may create an endless cycle of fragmentation, challenging both minority rights and prospects for lasting European integration.
MINORITY LANGUAGE RIGHTS IN YUGOSLAVIA IN A EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK
MINORITY LANGUAGE RIGHTS IN YUGOSLAVIA IN A EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK
(MINORITY LANGUAGE RIGHTS IN YUGOSLAVIA IN A EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK)
- Author(s):Ranko Bugarski
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Language and Literature Studies, Constitutional Law, Nationalism Studies, Inter-Ethnic Relations, Ethnic Minorities Studies
- Page Range:93-97
- No. of Pages:5
- Keywords:Multilingualism; Minority Rights; Ethnic Identity
- Summary/Abstract:Ranko Bugarski’s article explores the evolution and challenges of minority language rights in Yugoslavia, emphasizing how these rights are a key aspect of broader minority protections and have been shaped by European legal standards. He highlights how the former Yugoslavia was once a model of multilingual policy, granting extensive language rights, but contrasts this with the decline of such rights in the post-Yugoslav era amid rising nationalism, legal ambiguities, and weakened institutional support. Despite some constitutional guarantees, current practices often fall short, reflecting a stark gap between legal provisions and their real-world application.
TEMPTATIONS OF DEMOCRACY IN THE "THIRD YUGOSLAVIA"
TEMPTATIONS OF DEMOCRACY IN THE "THIRD YUGOSLAVIA"
(TEMPTATIONS OF DEMOCRACY IN THE "THIRD YUGOSLAVIA")
- Author(s):Vladimir Goati
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Governance, Electoral systems, Transformation Period (1990 - 2010), Post-Communist Transformation
- Page Range:98-104
- No. of Pages:7
- Keywords:Yugoslavia; Democratization; decentralized political system;
- Summary/Abstract:Yugoslavia's unique features, such as its decentralized political system and elements of market socialism, distinguished it from other Eastern Bloc states but ultimately failed to prevent its transformation into a variant of "real socialism." Unlike the mass mobilizations in Poland or Hungary, Yugoslavia's transition lacked broad-based civil resistance, with political conflicts playing out mainly between republican elites competing for power rather than between the regime and its citizens. The irregular 1992 elections in the newly declared Federal Republic of Yugoslavia exposed the lack of democratic legitimacy in Serbia and Montenegro, deepening political tensions and reinforcing the perception of an authoritarian continuity under the guise of electoral reform.
NATIONAL MINORITIES AND ELECTIONS IN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA
NATIONAL MINORITIES AND ELECTIONS IN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA
(NATIONAL MINORITIES AND ELECTIONS IN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA)
- Author(s):Zoran Lutovac
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Recent History (1900 till today), Post-Communist Transformation, Inter-Ethnic Relations, Ethnic Minorities Studies
- Page Range:105-111
- No. of Pages:7
- Keywords:autonomy; minorities; parallel structures; representation
- Summary/Abstract:Zoran Lutovac’s work examines the complex legal and political position of national minorities in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, emphasizing constitutional guarantees for cultural and linguistic rights, but also highlighting inconsistencies in terminology and implementation between the federal and republican levels. While the state formally protects minority rights, the reality—especially in Kosovo—reflects deep ethnic divisions and parallel structures of governance, with Albanian leaders rejecting autonomy in favor of independence. This entrenched conflict between Serbian authorities and Albanian political elites has led to a de facto segregation of everyday life in Kosovo, illustrating the limitations of constitutional rights amid national tensions.
THE HERITAGE OF TOTALITARIANISM AND MINORITY RIGHTS
THE HERITAGE OF TOTALITARIANISM AND MINORITY RIGHTS
(THE HERITAGE OF TOTALITARIANISM AND MINORITY RIGHTS)
- Author(s):László Végel
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Recent History (1900 till today), Inter-Ethnic Relations, Ethnic Minorities Studies
- Page Range:112-117
- No. of Pages:6
- Keywords:Totalitarianism; Minority Rights; Autonomy; Pluralism; Democratization
- Summary/Abstract:In this text, László Vegel reflects on the challenges of democratization in post-socialist Central and Eastern Europe, emphasizing the importance of addressing minority rights as a crucial aspect of breaking away from totalitarian legacies. He argues that minority rights should not only be recognized as civil rights but also as compensatory rights to ensure equality and opportunities without limiting the majority's rights. Vegel calls for a constitutional and legal framework that guarantees ethnic minority autonomy, recognizes pluralism, and fosters the creation of independent institutions, to allow minorities to function within civil society and to promote reconciliation and cooperation in a post-socialist region.
POWER TURNED INTO LAW
POWER TURNED INTO LAW
(POWER TURNED INTO LAW)
- Author(s):Belul Beqaj
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Constitutional Law, Nationalism Studies, Ethnic Minorities Studies
- Page Range:118-123
- No. of Pages:6
- Keywords:Nationalism; Repression; Discrimination; Kosovo; Self-determination
- Summary/Abstract:The disintegration of Yugoslavia and the collapse of communist ideology led national oligarchies to manipulate nationalism to retain or acquire power, especially in Serbia, where the government used Kosovo’s myth to consolidate support for a hegemonic state. The Albanian population in Kosovo, under increasing repression, resisted the Serbian regime’s discriminatory policies, which included economic marginalization, loss of autonomy, and systematic legal actions that aimed to erase Albanian culture and identity. Despite international human rights frameworks, the Serbian regime persisted with a policy of internal colonialism and ethnocide, violating Albanian rights and dismantling Kosovo’s autonomy, resulting in an increasingly polarized and dangerous political climate.
THE RIGHT OF SELF-DETERMINATION OF PEOPLES AND HUMAN RIGHTS
THE RIGHT OF SELF-DETERMINATION OF PEOPLES AND HUMAN RIGHTS
(THE RIGHT OF SELF-DETERMINATION OF PEOPLES AND HUMAN RIGHTS)
- Author(s):Jasminka Hasanbegović
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Constitutional Law, Nationalism Studies, Inter-Ethnic Relations, Ethnic Minorities Studies
- Page Range:127-130
- No. of Pages:4
- Keywords:Self-determination; Human rights; Ethnicity; International law; Yugoslavia
- Summary/Abstract:Jasminka Hasanbegović's paper examines the challenges of implementing the right to self-determination in post-communist Yugoslavia, especially regarding ethnic groups, and highlights its consequences on human rights and the rule of law. The author discusses how the realization of self-determination, primarily understood as the creation of ethnic states, often leads to ethnic conflicts, human rights violations, and the emergence of new minorities subject to persecution and exclusion. Ilasanbegović calls for international legal protection for individuals affected by this process, advocating for multiple citizenship or a special legal status to safeguard their freedoms and rights in the new states.
DRAFT CHARTER OF FREEDOMS AND RIGHTS
DRAFT CHARTER OF FREEDOMS AND RIGHTS
(DRAFT CHARTER OF FREEDOMS AND RIGHTS)
- Author(s):Not Specified Author
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics, Constitutional Law, Human Rights and Humanitarian Law
- Page Range:131-135
- No. of Pages:5
- Keywords:Citizenship; Rights Freedom of Movement; Cultural and Artistic Freedom; Social Security
