Welcome to the Desert of Post-Socialism: Radical Politics After Yugoslavia

by Srećko Horvat (Editor), Igor Štiks (Editor)

This volume offers a profound analysis of post-socialist economic and political transformation in the Balkans, involving deeply unequal societies and oligarchical “democracies.” The contributions deconstruct the persistent imaginary of the Balkans, pervasive among outsiders to the region, who see it as no more than a repository of ethnic conflict, corruption and violence. Providing a much needed critical examination of the Yugoslav socialist experience, the volume sheds light on the recent rebirth of radical politics in the Balkans, where new groups and movements struggle for a radically democratic vision of society.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, History, Philosophy, Economics

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 6, 2015

About the author

Srećko Horvat is a Croatian philosopher, author and political activist.

Reviews

[Kriegslok · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Welcome to the Desert of Post-Socialism' is a welcome collection of pieces by contributors from the region who challenge the imposed narrative that is usually taken for granted when looking at the Balkans. The pieces cover the the political and economic history of Yugoslavia from the post war era to the present day, look at cultural and ethnic issues, economics, power relations, the role of external actors and the impact of unions, women and students in trying to resist the negative internally and externally imposed policies that have had such a dire impact on the lives of ordinary people. For me one of the especially interesting sections dealt with the reality of Yugoslavia's self-management system which offered a seemingly different and more worker orientated system of workers involvement in the life of the state compared to the State bureaucracy of the Soviet Union and its client states. While in practise the self-management system failed to work as ideally intended it did stand out as something with positive connotations in the post Yugoslav era along with many of the other attributes such as schooling, healthcare, childcare, leisure, job security which disappeared for most people when Yugoslavia was torn apart. These things, as well as the revival enjoyed by Tito as a symbol of stability, have generally been attributed to the growth of Yugostalgia, a condition that has swept Central Europe as the realities of IMF and EU led austerity (itself informed by a Balkanised vision of what they are dealing with) and iron fisted policy guidance have stripped away the securities and certainties of the former systems. In this book it is argued that in Yugoslavia Titostalgia is not for many a rose tinted vision of the happy past. Rather it recognises the failings of Yugoslavia but sees in the failed effort to build an alternative the embers still of a better future and certainly one better than that which is dominated today by the same old oligarchs and mafioso who have managed to remain in power and control of the rump states they manage and are recognised and welcomed as legitimate by powerful external actors (EU, IMF etc) as legitimate. The transition period is examined in detail, especially the failure of key external actors to ensure the domestic legitimacy of those they were dealing with and their failure to see that the populations of many of the former Yugoslav states were being asset stripped by their leaders who were the only ones profiting from austerity measures and supposed development and reconstruction plans. This was especially the case as domestic industry was asset stripped by external actors in alliance with domestic oligarchs and mafia. The final part of the book looks at the reemergence of grassroots organising among workers trying to defend their jobs and workplaces, students resisting the comodification of the universities and the struggle to build alliances at a grassroots level between these various interests. On the one hand there are many examples of successful organisation to resist specific workplace closures and specific unpopular policies, however, as in the rest of the world it is clear that maintaining momentum for grassroots organisations to bring about any greater structural change is less successful. A further chapter considers the role of women in Yugoslavia, the failures of the post-war women's movement and the losses suffered by women since the collapse of the Yugoslav state and how women have been among the biggest losers in the post socialist desert. This book importantly resists the Balkanist narrative which many of us are fed and shows that, unsurprisingly, those on the ground are best placed to see, understand and resist what they are suffering but need those outside to overthrow the blinkered Balkanist view they are likely to be operating under.

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

The children of old Communist Party Activists suffering for the lack of privilege. Somehow Post-Socialism is Socialism run by other people's children.

[Jonfaith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recall the infamous poster issued by KFOR, depicting a dog and a cat followed by the message: if they can do it - so can you. This stands as a pure example of interventionist racism par excellence.

When we were first in Reading, England last week, I thought I would brave the rain and walk to the city center. My wife's brother lives off of Bath Road and the plan was to follow that to Russell Street, take that down to Oxford Street and then, as some say, Bob's your uncle. Well, arriving at Oxford Street I went left when I should've went right. I walked for a mile before turning around and I am not sure I heard English but a handful of times. It was was largely Polish, Hungarian, Romanian and other languages of the European diaspora. I found that discovery remarkable in contrast to our last lengthy visit in 2004.

The Serbian elections are next week, I believe. The commercials for the canfidates always run sequentially, fair play I assume. I have not asked anyone about the platforms of the two men. I am guessing the one with glasses is a progressive as he affects Obama and appears to like wearing jeans at informal events. The other fellow growls.

The uniting aspect of these essays in welcome to the Desert is the notion of transition. These unruly nations must clear out their socialist baggage, forget about their messy wars and nationalism and start behaving like proper Europeans. This message from Brussels is hard and heavy, especially since the Western banks extended lines of credit just before the Great Recession. Unemployment is over 20 percent here. Prices have went up almost a third in the last three years. What can the future bring? Well, it brought refugees. Many Syrians and Iraqis are living in parks in downtown Belgrade, waiting for documentation to be processed. I think this is one a set of solutions for Serbia and Europe. There will be hush money of sorts, allowing the wretched of the earth to live here, just out of sight. Serbia will be rewarded for that patience, eventually. In the interim 10 people own 30 percent of the wealth here. Deindustrialization and a dismantling of the social safety net continue apace.

Maria Todorova is my new hero. It is fitting that the one essay devoted to feminism is the penultimate one. It remains isolated and understated.There are fascinating approaches to the Titostalgia and cult of the Yugo as well as towards Kosovo, which always appears to be interrupted in regional conversations. This is is a fascinating and invaluable text.

[Ben Scobie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not knowing much about the history of Yugoslavia I have to admit I was a bit out of my depth. Also some of it was very, very philosophy heavy. Nevertheless it was an interesting read - some great parallels to other books I´ve read recently including Klein´s 'Shock Doctrine' and Piketty´s 'Capital'.

[Mima Flamingo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Takes some great style pointers from Žižek, and is, overall, an insightful read. For five stars I would've liked more content on gender and sexuality.

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing collection of essays which describe and analyse the problems that the introduction of a neoliberal system has brought to the post Yugoslav states. There is also a glimmer of optimism in the sections that look at the adoption of horizontal democratic processes by protestors in response to the imposition of unpopular. policies by the political elites.