I remember December 1, 1997, as a crucial and so far one of the most important days in my life. This was the day I left for Bosnia and Herzegovina to become a member of the SFOR Peacekeeping Mission. Today on December 1, 2001, I look back to this first adventure of my life. Still I am trying to figure out what caused these cruel deeds and this furious devastation of a whole and formerly relatively prosperous country. Things I could see and experience there brought up to me the idea to discuss the initial reasons for this particular war, which had become one of the bloodiest events in Europe’s contemporary history. Despite all the subsequent crises in the region, an area known throughout history to be cause of numerous conflicts and wars – as BISMARCK once said being not worth the bones of one of his soldiers1 – it might be further deserving to devote the later part of this paper discussing the actual setting and feasible future deve lopment. Literature gives a broad overview of political explanations for the conflicts in former Yugoslavia, which became frequently apparent during the last years and crises. Despite the fact, that in the media the terms ethnicity and nationalism was used extensively, there are only few attempts to explain the pre-war situation by these phrases. Therefor the objective of the following chapter will be a clarification of the terms in regard to the particular situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina shortly before the war. In conclusion it might be suitable to make some remarks on the actual situation regarding the ethnical combination as well as the impact of refugee migration on the territory of the country in comparison to the pre-war status and the persuading outcomes eventually resulting out of this.
However, the observer should be aware, that the examinations often lack discreet evidence; in the words of NASH: “But even this phrasing of the search for universals in group loyalties and boundary maintaining mechanisms is difficult to spin into empirical relevant sentences”2. This proves much more valid in regard to the fragmentary settlement and diversity of the respective ethnicity in the pre-war Bosnia (see also the attached map of 1991 census).
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1 Bismarck (1922).
2 Nash (1989), p. 4.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Collapse
- Ethnicity
- Definition of Ethnicity and Ethnic Groups
- Ethnicity and Ethnic Groups in the pre-war Period
- Nationalism and Nation
- Ethnicity
- War
- Cease-Fire
- Post-war settlement
- Reconciliation or Alternatives
- Future Conclusion and Perspectives
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper examines the origins and consequences of the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a particular focus on the role of ethnicity and nationalism. The author uses the war as a case study to explore the complex interplay of these concepts, drawing upon historical context, sociological definitions, and real-world experiences.
- The impact of ethnicity and nationalism on the outbreak of war in Bosnia and Herzegovina
- The role of historical and cultural factors in shaping ethnic identities and tensions
- The influence of external forces and international actors on the conflict
- The challenges of achieving reconciliation and rebuilding after the war
- The ongoing legacy of the war and its impact on the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Chapter Summaries
- Introduction: The author outlines the purpose and scope of the paper, highlighting the significance of understanding the complex dynamics of ethnicity and nationalism in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The author's personal experiences as a member of the SFOR peacekeeping mission provide a compelling starting point for the discussion.
- Collapse: This chapter introduces key concepts such as ethnicity, nationalism, and nation, emphasizing their complexities and the need for careful analysis in the Bosnian context. The author explores the inherent challenges in defining and categorizing ethnic groups and nations, underscoring the inherent subjectivity of these concepts.
- Ethnicity: This chapter delves deeper into the definition and dynamics of ethnicity, examining various theoretical perspectives on ethnic groups. The author explores the relationship between ethnicity, culture, and social boundaries, while also highlighting the significance of historical context and the evolution of ethnic identities.
- Ethnicity and Ethnic Groups in the pre-war Period: This chapter examines the specific situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina before the war, focusing on the three major ethnic groups: Bosniaks, Croats, and Serbs. The author explores the historical influences that shaped their distinct identities and the factors contributing to pre-existing tensions between these groups.
Keywords
This paper explores the complex dynamics of ethnicity, nationalism, and nation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Key terms and concepts include: ethnic groups, ethnic boundaries, ethnic identity, nationalism, nation-state, historical context, cultural influences, conflict dynamics, post-war reconciliation, and the Dayton Peace Accord.
- Quote paper
- Heiko Bubholz (Author), 2002, Ethnicity, Nation and Nationalism in Bosnia and Hercegovina in the war and after, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/5539
