Balkan Idols: Religion and Nationalism in Yugoslav States
The collapse of Yugoslavia remains one of the most complex geopolitical events of the late 20th century. While many historians acknowledge that religion played a significant role in this disintegration, English-language literature on the specific intersection of faith and state politics has historically been limited. Vjekoslav Perica's work, Balkan Idols: Religion and Nationalism in Yugoslav States, seeks to fill this critical gap in historiography—the study of how history is written.
Perica provides a detailed examination of how organized religion interacted with nationalism to shape the political landscape of the region. By analyzing the institutional roles of faith, the book moves beyond surface-level observations to explore the structural roots of conflict in the former Yugoslav states.
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Key Facts
- Primary Focus: The politics of organized religion, specifically the Serbian Orthodox, Croatian Catholic, and Bosnian Muslim churches.
- Research Basis: Extensive use of primary and secondary sources, including state and local commission reports on religious affairs dating back to the late 1960s.
- Core Objective: To correct popular misconceptions regarding the role of religion in the Yugoslav conflicts.
- Academic Reception: Highly regarded by scholars for its nuanced discussion of religious institutions in politics and society.
Analyzing the Role of Religious Institutions
Perica's research emphasizes that religion was not merely a backdrop to the conflict but an active component of the political machinery. The book focuses on three primary religious pillars:
- Serbian Orthodox Church
- Croatian Catholic Church
- Bosnian Muslim institutions
Through the use of telling anecdotes and vital demographic details, Perica illustrates how these institutions functioned within the state. The analysis is grounded in reports from commissions on religious affairs, providing a data-driven look at how religious identity was leveraged during the rise of nationalism.
Contribution to Historiography
Critics and academics have noted that Balkan Idols is an essential contribution to the body of literature on the disintegration of Yugoslavia. It challenges the reader to look past simplified narratives and instead consider the complex relations between the state, the church, and national identity.
While some reviewers noted the presence of editorial errors and misspelled Serbo-Croatian words, the consensus among scholars is that the intellectual value of the research far outweighs these technical flaws.
Summary of Academic Reviews
| Reviewer | Publication | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| Nicholas J. Miller | Slavic Review | Remedies the lack of English literature on religion's role in Yugoslavia's collapse. |
| Dejan Jović | Journal of Southern Europe and the Balkans | A challenging and useful contribution to the roots of Yugoslav disintegration. |
| Shay Wood | Religion and Society in Central and Eastern Europe | Fills an important gap in historiography and appeals to both scholars and the public. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main goal of Balkan Idols?
The book aims to stamp out popular misconceptions about the role of religion in the Yugoslav conflicts by providing a well-documented analysis of organized religion and nationalism.
Which religious groups does Vjekoslav Perica focus on?
The research focuses primarily on the Serbian Orthodox, Croatian Catholic, and Bosnian Muslim churches.
What sources did the author use for his research?
Perica utilized a variety of primary and secondary sources, with a particular emphasis on reports from state and local commissions on religious affairs since the late 1960s.
Who is the intended audience for this book?
While highly recommended for academics and students studying the collapse of Yugoslavia, the book is written to be accessible to a wider public audience interested in the intersection of religion and politics.
Does the book cover all ethnic groups in the region?
The primary focus is on the three major religious institutions mentioned; however, reviewers suggest that the work stimulates the need for further research into Slovenes, Albanians, and other religious minorities in the region.