THE IMPACT OF THE YUGOSLAV RESISTANCE MOVEMENT ON THE POLITICAL

SYSTEM AND SOCIETY

The resistance movement in Yugoslavia established a new internal state structure during the Second World War through organs such as the AVNOJ (Anti-Fascist Assembly of National Liberation of Yugoslavia) and NKOJ (National Committee for the Liberation of Yugoslavia), as well as other emerging central and federal government and political institutions. After the war, when Yugoslavia became a federative republic, its social and political institutions were restructured. A new constitution was adopted, which was adjusted in the following decades to accommodate dynamic internal developments. Key positions in the state were occupied primarily by members of the partisan movement and the pre-war revolutionary movement, most of whom came from lower social classes.

The new authorities implemented radical modernization measures that previous regime had been

unable or unwilling to achieve. These included universal suffrage, the emancipation of women,

and the separation of church and state. There was also a crackdown on collaborators and

opponents of the new regime, while revolutionary measures were established in all social areas.

After the split with the Cominform in 1948, Yugoslavia introduced self-management socialism,

which allowed workers to manage social property and developed a strong economic democracy.

However, political democracy was limited to socio-political organizations, with the Communist

Party (The League of Communists) playing a leading role. The system allowed for limited interest

pluralism on a socialist basis through the Socialist Alliance of Working People (SZDL), the

successor to the anti-fascist front.

Despite open borders, economic ties with the West, and certain capitalist elements, the system

remained socialist. It was based on egalitarianism, full employment, accessibility of education,

and extensive social protection. The characteristic mix of the socialist system and Western

capitalist influences, along with Yugoslavia’s position between the East and the West, created a

unique cultural atmosphere in which post-war generations grew up believing in the enduring

peace and sovereignty achieved through their parents’ efforts.

The entire Yugoslav social and political system was subordinated to the leading role of Josip Broz

Tito, who combined three key functions: President of the State, General Secretary (later

President) of the Communist Party, and Supreme Commander of the Yugoslav Army. After Tito’s

death, the system began to disintegrate, leading to economic, political, and interethnic crises, and

ultimately to the collapse of Yugoslavia in wars that were the first on European soil after the

Second World War.