Professional paper

Contemporary Croatian Liberalism

Stephen Tull ; Department of Political Science, University of Michigan

Abstract

Research shows a high level of commitment to liberal-democratic values among leading Croatian politicians, without regard to whether they are from the party in power or the opposition. As a rule most show greater democratic disposition than one would assume based on
parliamentary debates or government policies. There are numerous reasons, but one of the key reasons is that democratic values are always harder to bring to reality in countries at war. Although the war continues, there are signs of a strengthening liberal alternative to the nationalist party in power. In this paper, I identify a cleavage between elites whose primary orientation is toward the ethnonational revolution and those committed to a liberal-democratic, pluralist civil-society model for Croatia. I describe the convergent values of Croatian liberalism, and discuss possible alliances creating a viable liberal opposition in the next elections.

Keywords

Croatia; democracy; elites; liberalism; nationalism; political culture; political parties; Yugoslavia

Hrčak ID:

154838

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/154838

Publication date:

31.12.1994.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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