National Identity in Serbia: The Vojvodina and a Multi-Ethnic Community in the Balkans

(Paperback)

Available Formats

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

The autonomous province of Vojvodina in Serbia is little-known in the English-speaking world, even though it is a territory of high significance for the development of Serbian national identity. Vojvodinas multi-ethnic composition and historical experience has also encouraged the formation of a distinct regional identity. This book analyses the evolution of Vojvodinas identity over time and the unique pattern of ethnic relations in the province. Although approximately 25 ethnic communities live in Vojvodina, it is by no means a divided society. Intercultural cohabitation has been a living reality in the province for centuries and this largely accounts for the lack of ethnic conflict. Vassilis Petsinis explores Vojvodinas intercultural society and shows how this has facilitated the introduction of flexible and regionalized legal models for the management of ethnic relations in Serbia since the 2000s. He also discusses recent developments in the region, most notably the arrival of refugees from Syria and Iraq, and measures the impact that these changes have had on social stability and inter-group relations in the province.

Reviews

The book is an important contribution to the study of multi-ethnic regionalisms and is strongly recommended for anyone engaged in the Western Balkans, whether scholars, EU policymakers or local political players. * Europe-Asia Studies *
A richly documented political history of Serbias autonomous province Vojvodina, ranging from the Habsburg era to the early 21st century. * Comparative Southeast European Studies *
A comprehensive picture of the development of Vojvodinas identity. * Journal of Contemporary European Studies *
[A] very thorough review of multiethnic communities and interethnic relations in the province ... This is the best introduction to Vojvodina in English. * CHOICE *
Vassilis Petsinis gives a lucid introduction to the recent history and politics of the Vojvodina. His account is neatly structured, written in accessible language, and situated in an effective theoretical and comparative framework. It is an important contribution not only to South-East European studies but also to the developing literature on the relationship between national and regional identities in contemporary Europe. * Martyn Rady, Masaryk Professor of Central European History, UCL, UK *

Author Bio

Vassilis Petsinis is Associate Professor of Politics at Corvinus University in Budapest, Hungary (Institute of Global Studies).