Public Perceptions of Political and Economic Transformation in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina: A Pilot Study

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 shift. Some of Yugoslavia’s successor states continue to struggle as independent entities following the country’s dissolution. Leaders in the Republic of Croatia and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) mapped out their return to Europe and have achieved varying levels of success, offering 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 interrelated contemporary issues 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 localities of Croatia as well as Sarajevo, BiH, followed by an analysis of qualitative and quantitative responses. With Croatia’s imminent entry to the European Union, problems of economic diversification continue. In BiH, stagnation persists two decades after independence, and the failure of leaders to embrace transparency and generate a shared national consciousness continues to stymy public confidence and domestic growth while dissuading foreign investors. Keywords: Transformation, Balkan Economies, Croatia, Bosnia JEL Classification Codes: 05, P2, R1