How the Debate Over Communist Yugoslavia has Become Tainted 

Students and academics involved in the study of historical and contemporary repression know that the subject matter is a heavy one. Research and investigation into mass murder, war, radical ideologies, and related horrors of the past and present can stir controversy and delve into territory that many would rather not address. The Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation is no stranger to these issues. Last month, VOC held its first event on the politics of memory in Serbia; “In the Name of the People: Political Repression in Serbia 1944-1953” where Dr. Srdjan Cvetkovic and Dr. Ena Mirkovic gave an extensive multi-media presentation on the subject. As the scholars detailed in their research, a large amount of the repression committed by the communist authorities from work camps to mass killings were in-line with communist doctrine. The American and Serbian American audience were keen to know more and participate in the conversation. In Serbia, however, the debate is much messier. 

Across the Atlantic, discourse about Josip Broz Tito and his communist regime, whether in academia or society at large, is extremely difficult. Many still believe communist propaganda about the system’s flawlessness or hold nostalgia for the tight order and stability of a bygone time. They become offended and angry when there is any attempt to address Tito’s authoritarianism, with regurgitated narratives and talking points peddled by the old communist party being given. The accusations assert that any act of criticism is only a product of rabid nationalists, Nazi-sympathizers, malicious NATO-backed fifth columnists, and fascists, further adding that the socialist system was perfect and collapsed only due to a sinister Western conspiracy. These paradoxical arguments can be heard across all segments of society. 

Criticizing the strict ideology, rejecting political terror, condemning labor camps, wanting free elections, demanding a free press, and rejecting cults of personality is “fascism” or “nationalism.” How can that be? Are the people who want democracy all sinister nationalists and NATO capitalist lackeys? Are they all fascists? In reality, they are not and this is terrible misinformation at best and a bizarre delusion at worst. They failed to realize that there are many people who reject the old communist system due to its repressive nature and many more who simply think of it as a failure and have no interest in ever restoring it. Today, most Serbian citizens and former Yugoslav nations do not want communism back, as seen with the nonexistence of communist parties in elections, and see the country’s future as a western and liberal democratic state. The authoritarianism, repression, corruption, nepotism, ideological contradictions, and economic failures of the old regime are conveniently overlooked to create a rosy picture akin to the familiar trope of “the good old days”. Yet if we look past these arguments, this becomes a great example of the psychology and compelling power of propaganda in a communist regime. 

In regimes based on totalitarian ideology, association or loyalty to something else other than who is in charge is an act of treason. Any example brought up in history whether it be Fascist Italy or the USSR demonstrates this example of “you are either with us or against us.” In Yugoslavia it was no different, as opposition to the party and Tito were portrayed as the work of a cabal of nefarious actors including capitalists, kulaks, suspicious foreigners, Serbian Chetniks, Croatian Ustashe, and for a short period, Stalinists. It did not matter if you were simply someone who wanted democracy or opposed politically motivated terror. If you opposed the state, you must be one of these types of conspirators. The communists further abused the fact that they fought against the Nazis to justify their own repression, a familiar tactic employed by Stalin and the USSR. Since they fought the Nazis, the logic goes, any of their own actions, no matter how excessive, were suddenly just and anyone who opposed it must be a Nazi. All these ideas were drilled into people’s minds and their continued popularity to this day demonstrates the success of this indoctrination. 

Having a nation fully move on from an authoritarian and traumatic past is not easy and never will be. The process requires addressing issues that will clash with existing narratives and upset many who have grown up under that system, but that must be expected with a society scarred by totalitarianism. The history of Serbia in the 20th century is one of tragedy and suffering, filled with repression from radicalism coming from both the far right and left. Yet even with the continued presence of those ideologies today, most Serbs have made their choice. They do not want these violent totalitarian ideologies of the previous century anymore, nor their cults of personalities and murderous secret police. Instead, they want democracy, free and fair elections, and accountable leaders. It does not matter if it is the NKVD, Gestapo, or UDBA; repression is repression no matter the flag and we must be honest about it. Only when there is a real conversation free from idealized nostalgia can society finally move towards the democratic values and norms so many demand for today.  

The views and opinions expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation.