Perica: A Journey Through History, Religion, and Balkan Politics
From the basketball courts of Split to the lecture halls of prestigious international universities, the life of Perica is a testament to the pursuit of academic excellence and a deep fascination with the intersection of faith and power. While his early years were marked by athletic promise, his enduring legacy has been built upon his rigorous study of the complex socio-political landscape of the Balkans.
Key Facts
- Academic Credentials: Holds an MSc in political science and history, and a PhD in history from the University of Minnesota.
- Notable Publication: Author of Balkan Idols: Religion and Nationalism in Yugoslav States (Oxford University Press, 2002).
- Current Role: Professor of history at the University of Rijeka, Croatia.
- Specialization: The relationship between religious revival, ethnic mobilization, and nationalism in the former Yugoslavia.
- Honors: Recipient of awards from the United States Institute of Peace and the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation.
Early Life and Professional Beginnings
In his youth, Perica was a talented athlete and a member of the first team of KK Jugoplastika, a prominent basketball club. However, he eventually prioritized academic pursuits over sports, graduating from the Faculty of Law in Split in 1980.
His professional career began in the public sector, where he served as the secretary of the government's Committee for Relations with Religious Communities from 1985 to 1990. During this period, he also ventured into journalism, writing a column titled "Religion and Politics" for Nedjeljna Dalmacija between 1988 and 1991. This role allowed him to interview nearly every religious leader in the former Yugoslavia, providing him with firsthand insight into the region's spiritual and political tensions.
Academic Evolution in the United States
Following his departure from government employment in 1990, Perica moved to the United States to further his education at the University of Minnesota. He earned an MSc in political science in 1994, an MSc in history in 1995, and completed his PhD in history in 1998.
His doctoral thesis, which examined religious revival and ethnic mobilization in Yugoslavia from 1965 to 1991, focused on the "Yugoslav religious question"—the complex interplay between faith and national identity during the transition from the reform era to the civil war. This groundbreaking work earned him prestigious awards from the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation and the United States Institute of Peace.
Between 1999 and 2007, he shared his expertise as a visiting lecturer at several American universities, bridging the gap between Balkan history and Western academic discourse.
Contributions to Scholarship and Literature
Perica's research culminated in the publication of Balkan Idols: Religion and Nationalism in Yugoslav States by Oxford University Press in 2002. This work was later revised, expanded, and translated into a two-volume Serbian edition published by Biblioteka XX vek in 2006.
His commitment to research is further evidenced by his roles as a Research Fellow at the United States Institute of Peace and the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. In 2007, he served as a U.S. Fulbright scholar in Belgrade, Serbia, and later held a fellowship at the Netherlands Institute for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Science in Wassenaar during 2011 and 2012.
More recently, he co-authored Nebeska Jugoslavija. Interakcije političkih mitologija i pop-kulture (2012) with Mitja Velikonja of the University of Ljubljana, exploring the interactions between political mythologies and popular culture.
| Period/Year | Achievement/Role | Institution/Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Law Degree | Faculty of Law in Split |
| 1985–1990 | Secretary | Committee for Relations with Religious Communities |
| 1994–1998 | MSc and PhD | University of Minnesota |
| 1999–2007 | Visiting Lecturer | Various American Universities |
| 2002 | Published "Balkan Idols" | Oxford University Press |
| 2007 | Fulbright Scholar | Belgrade, Serbia |
| Present | Professor of History | University of Rijeka, Croatia |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Perica's primary area of academic expertise?
Perica specializes in history and political science, specifically focusing on the relationship between religion, nationalism, and ethnic mobilization within the former Yugoslavia.
Which major book did Perica author regarding the Balkans?
He authored Balkan Idols: Religion and Nationalism in Yugoslav States, published by Oxford University Press in 2002.
Where did Perica obtain his advanced degrees?
He earned his MSc in political science, MSc in history, and his PhD in history from the University of Minnesota.
What was the focus of his award-winning PhD thesis?
His thesis explored the history of the Yugoslav religious question from 1965 to 1991, specifically analyzing religious revival and ethnic mobilization leading up to the civil war.
Where does Perica currently teach?
He is a Professor of history at the University of Rijeka in Croatia.