Mit o dijaspori u konstrukciji novog hrvatstva i srpstva
The Diaspora Myth in the Construction of New Croatianhood and Serbianhood

Summary/Abstract: This essay comparatively analyzes post-Yugoslav ethnic nationalist movements in Croatia and Serbia focusing on political uses of ethnic diasporas. The author examines the role of ethnic diasporas in the reconstruction of nationhood and legitimating new regimes; in new political discourses and also in the new political competition including internal competition within political arenas of the new nations, but also in the context of the rivalry between Serb and Croat nationalisms which did not end with the ending of the wars of Yugoslav succession. In addition, the author provides a brief genealogy of the Diaspora myth and concludes that, like all myths utilized in politics, this myth also entails contradictions that produce effects and outcomes which the initial political benefactors from this myth could not incalculate or fully control and eventually had to face certain undesirable consequences. Twenty years after the collapse of Yugoslavia, the political uses of ethnic diasporas still can be observed in the discourses and politics of ethnic nationalistic parties, although it is also clear that the appeal of the myth is diminishing.

• Details
• Contents