Югославянството — теоретични постановки и практическа реализация (Опит за обобщение и типологизация)
Yugoslavism — Theoretical Points and Practical Realisation (An attempt at summarizing and typologisation)

Summary/Abstract: This article is an attempt for a summary representation of the principal, essential characteristics of Yugoslavism. There is an outline of several main trends, determined by varied theoretical and practical interpretations, which this phenomenon underwent in the course of its historical development. Special attention has been paid to the definitions of Yugoslavism (unitary, integral, utilitarian, Illyrian, dualistic, trialistic, federalist, socialist and so on) as the content of the term was enriched considerably over the nearly two centuries of transformation underwent by the Yugoslav idea. The main criteria on which the said definitions were based include the preferred form of state system and government, the attitude to already formed Yugoslav nations (what was usually born in mind were the three „old“ Yugoslav peoples — Serbs, Croats and Slovenes), as well as the influence of topical for the moment political and/or ideological doctrine. The very study of the concrete historical development undergone by the Yugoslav idea shows its direct dependence of the prevalent political state of affairs. The most important events in the pre-state period of development of Yugoslavism (the 1830s – December 1918) can be outlined as the Illyrian movement (the first purposefully formulated and scientifically explained doctrine of ethnic and linguistic relation between Southern Slavs); the signing of the Vienna Literary Agreement (1850); the varied activity of Josip Strossmayer and Franjo Racki, which aimed at active rapprochement and cooperation between the Southern Slav peoples; the hidden or open competition between the ruling royal dynasties in Serbia and Montenegro; the influence of the Yugoslav idea among the Slovenes threatened by Germanization and what proved an insurmountable rift between Serbs and Bulgarians; the variegated diplomatic activity and pro-Yugoslav minded politicians during World War I. Consensus on the problem of a united Yugoslav nation was not achieved over the entire period of existence of the first Yugoslav state (the so-called Versailles Yugoslavia). The development of Yugoslavism in the socialist Yugoslav federation is discussed in three main aspects – Yugoslav state, Yugoslav citizen and Yugoslav nation. It turns out in the long run that the transformations undergone by the Yugoslav idea in all walks of life of the multi-national Yugoslav society (political, economic and cultural) were empty of national content. Tito’s death was followed by irregular, translational but clearly defined regressive development of the Yugoslav idea, which culminated in the full of bloodshed disintegration of the Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia, while the last state formation with the name of Yugoslavia disappeared in 1992.

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