Suočavanje s prošlošću - uslov stvaranja moderne srpske države
Facing the past - a condition for the creation of a modern Serbian state

Author(s): Vesna Pešić
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Politics, Politics and society, Politics of History/Memory
Published by: CEDET Centar za demokratsku tranziciju
Keywords: dealing with the past; mass crimes; constitutional democracy; responsibility; political community; integration; identity; moral responsibility
Summary/Abstract: This contribution examines the role of dealing with the bad past for the constitution of Serbia as a modern and rational state in the context of the transition that began with the overthrow of the authoritarian regime on October 5, 2000. The analysis of three types of responsibility for serious violations of human rights - criminal, political and moral - showed that today's Serbia has not broken with its bad past because the authoritarian-nationalist identity of the community has been preserved, which prevents a critical attitude towards the past. The issue of collective moral responsibility and its importance for the establishment of a new identity of the state community, based on universal values ​​of individual freedom and the rule of law, was analyzed in particular. Breaking with tribal irrationalism (nationalism) and moral-legal irresponsibility, which brought Serbia into conflict with the international community, its environment and caused internal polarization about its future, is a prerequisite for the establishment of rational national interests of Serbia as an independent state.

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