Blind Alleys in Variable Type Explanations of the Downfall of the Former Yugoslavia

In this paper certain attractive explanations, present in sociological and other scholar­ ship, on the dismemberment of Yugoslavia are considered, by reviewing them in light of cer­ tain thus far unpublished survey and census data on the former Yugoslavia, immediately pre­ ceding the dismemberment. Particularly one influential, but biased explanation of the dissolu­ tion of the former Yugoslavia is considered. Books by the sociologist Stjepan Meštrović merit particular attention in the depiction of bias towards the Yugoslav break-up. It is refuted that there was an in-depth incompatibility based on authoritarianism of any nationality’, on emotional instability' of any nationality, of ethnic stratification, of ethnic dis­ tance among the basic groups, which may explain the break-up. Instead, it is proposed that the break-up be explained by a maturation of nationalities, where the foimer Yugoslavia served as a nation-building institution, but for numerous nationalities.