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Abstract
This article attempts to explain how the destructive force of deliberate nationalism in the former Yugoslavia helped to politicize conflict along ethnic lines, and how belonging to an ethnic group became socially relevant during the twilight of the Yugoslav Federation through the example of Kosovo. Based on a constructivist approach, the Yugoslav federal system, which intentionally left a vacuum as regards historical reappraisal and thereby contributed to the outbreak of ethnic conflict, will be analyzed. Furthermore, reasons will be discussed as to why this federative system was, in the end, too weak and ill-constructed to positively intervene against violence. Subsequently, the purpose of this article, to define the respective nationalisms of both Serbs and Albanians, will be rounded off with a conclusion and summarizing arguments.
For information about a related title, visit the webpages of the Brill journal Review of Central and East European Law.