Overview

For the first time in nearly two centuries, one ethnic group now constitutes an absolute majority of Bosnia and Herzegovina's population: the Bosniaks. It is an unlikely development given that, scarcely thirty years ago, they were targeted for extermination and expulsion by Serbia's Slobodan Miloevi. Even as the Bosniak community fought to survive these atrocities, it simultaneously came under attack from militants led by Croatian president Franjo Tuman, who attempted to partition Bosnia and Herzegovina between Zagreb and Belgrade. Improbably, the Bosniaks and the Bosnian state survived these campaigns. But the country's fractious sectarian post-war order has produced the world's most convoluted constitutional regime, always teetering on the brink of collapse. Jasmin Mujanovi illuminates the sources of contemporary Bosniak political identity, tracing the evolution of a religious community into a secular nation, and shedding light on the future of a nation at a crossroads. He explores the idea of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a 'national homeland', considers how narratives of genocide influence self-identity, and probes how demographic changes are putting pressure on the country's political framework. The fate of Bosnia and Herzegovina's peace and democracy rests on the Bosniaks' shoulders--and with it, the stability of all Southeastern Europe.

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9781805260462

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Reviews

"'A thought-provoking book that traces the evolution of Bosniak political identity from a religious community to a secular nation. Compelling and captivating, it is essential reading for anyone interested in the political landscape of Southeastern Europe.' -- Edina Bećirević, Professor in the Faculty of Criminal Justice, Criminology and Security Studies, University of Sarajevo, and co-founder of the Atlantic Initiative 'Eloquently presented and argued, ""The Bosniaks"" will set the tone for discussions on Bosnia and Herzegovina and, more broadly, political thought and national movements in the Western Balkans for years to come. A very compelling read.' -- Dženeta Karabegović, University of Salzburg, co-editor of 'Bosnia and Herzegovina's Foreign Policy Since Independence' 'Through meticulous research and analysis, this thought-provoking book sheds light on the resilience of a people striving to reclaim their place in a post-conflict world, offering a compelling examination of the enduring impact of genocide and the indomitable human spirit.' -- Emir Suljagić, Director of the Srebrenica Memorial Center"

Author Information

Jasmin Mujanovi is a political scientist specialising in Southeastern Europe. His first book, 'Hunger and Fury: The Crisis of Democracy in the Balkans' (also published by Hurst), examined the persistence of illiberal governance in the Western Balkans since the Yugoslav Wars. He holds a PhD from York University in Canada.

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