The Belgrade Working Class from Tito to Milošević. New geographies of poverty and evolving expressions of grievances in an era of crisis, 1979–1986

This paper examines the socio-economic, demographic and political changes that occurred in Yugoslavia between 1979 and 1986 and links them to workers? grievances. A particular set of socio-economic factors coalesced in the early 1980s, which greatly affected the composition of Yugoslav working class. The early 1980s saw an increased public awareness that the project of socialist modernization was in deep crisis. In the aftermath of the 13th Session of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia, a broad discussion was launched in party cells on the state of the party and society in 1984. Exploring these discussions within Belgrade metalwork factories provides insight into the multifaceted grievances launched by blue-collar workers during a brief moment when the party opened up space for debate on the shop floor.