Original scientific paper
Ivan Šusteršič and Croatian Politicians
Stjepan MATKOVIĆ
; Hrvatski institut za povijest, Zagreb
Abstract
The example of the relationships between Ivan Šusteršič and certain
Croatian politicians shows high-level co-operation between the members of
political elites of the two nations within the Habsburg Monarchy at the end
of the 19th century and in the period until the end of the First World War,
when — with the disintegration of the Dual Monarchy — political life
deeply transformed, which launched other persons into the public scene.
Those relationships are marked by exceptionally strong ties that could be
explained as a need for mutual co-operation in the circumstances of joint
appearance against the challenges of the politics of greater national unions.
What is more, those ties were the consequence of certain shared world
views, which were the reflection of the permeation of ideas of nationalism,
Catholicism, dynastical patriotism and views of the viability of the Habsburg
Monarchy. ©usterπiË did not only maintain permanent contacts with
Croatian politicians from the Cisleithanian part of the Monarchy, particularly
in the clubs of the Imperial Council, but he also encouraged closeness with
those from the Autonomous Banovina of Croatia as well as Bosnia and
Herzegovina, which indicates the extent of the political co-operation. The
height of the relationships is noticeable in Šusteršič's joining the Party of
State Rights and in great gatherings that were held in Zagreb, Opatija and
Ljubljana. For the Croatian side — ready to co-operate with the leader of
the Slovene People’s Party — Šusteršič was an example of an excellent
organiser and a skilful politician who — employing subtle tactics —
achieved his goals in the atmosphere of the high Viennese politics. The
article also indicates contradictions in the Croatian-Slovene relationships.
Namely, the article also reveals the criticism of those Croatian politicians
who were more inclined towards liberalism and who saw a danger in
Šusteršič's ardent advocacy of ideas of political Catholicism.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
66359
URI
Publication date:
10.12.2009.
Visits: 1.467 *