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The last Yugoslavs: ethnic diversity, national identity and civil war

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  • Kukic, Leonard

Abstract

Nation-building is often proposed as a device for integration and conflict reduction in ethnically divided societies. This paper analyses the role of interethnic contact in the process of nation formation within the unique historical setting of the multi-ethnic Yugoslavia. Using historical border changes as a proxy for exogenous population movements that influenced ethnic diversity, I find that interethnic contact stimulated the formation of the Yugoslav national identity. In addition, aligned with the notion that nation formation can reduce the incidence of ethnic conflict, I find that areas with more self-declared Yugoslavs experienced a lower intensity of conflict during the Bosnian War of 1992-1995.

Suggested Citation

  • Kukic, Leonard, 2019. "The last Yugoslavs: ethnic diversity, national identity and civil war," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 102323, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:102323
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    Cited by:

    1. Chilosi, David & Nikolic, Stefan, 2021. "Vanishing borders: ethnicity and trade costs at the origin of the Yugoslav market," SocArXiv fsmch, Center for Open Science.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • N40 - Economic History - - Government, War, Law, International Relations, and Regulation - - - General, International, or Comparative
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification
    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General

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