Economic and Political Transformation in the Western Balkans: Understanding Public Perceptions in Croatia and BiH

Following successful accession to the European Union by many countries labeled “transition economies”, the definition of Europe’s transition zone (or, its modern “frontier”) continues to slide southeastward. Many of Yugoslavia’s successor states continue to struggle as independent entities resulting from the country’s 1990s dissolution. Leaders in the Republic of Croatia and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) have mapped out their return to Europe with varying levels of success thus far. Accordingly, both countries offer excellent laboratories for comparative assessment of ongoing transformation. As we approach the end of the second decade since the signing of the Dayton Peace Accords, and as Croatia prepares for its own 2013 EU accession, we attempt to better understand intertwined contemporary issues that face citizens of both countries, ranging from socio-economic wellbeing to contentment with government. Of particular interest is the prospect of EU accession given the ongoing global recession and widespread uncertainty surrounding the Euro. Our approach entails primary data collection through brief interviews with residents in a variety of localities in Croatia as well as Sarajevo, BiH, followed by analysis of qualitative and quantitative responses. We conclude that although Croatia’s entry to the European Union is imminent, problems of the country’s economic diversification persist. Stagnation in BiH persists two decades after independence, and the failure of leaders to generate the “myth of a nation” continues to stymy public confidence and domestic growth while dissuading foreign investors.