Once upon a time, there was a country called Yugoslavia. In it, everyone lived in harmony, regardless of nationality, religion, or race, and everyone had equal rights, jobs, and a perfect life. Sounds like a fairy tale, right? That’s probably because such a description of Yugoslavia is as mythical as it sounds—especially when you consider that the country was tightly controlled by a single political party (the Communist Party).
There were countless fairy tales told about this land—some said Yugoslavia was an economic powerhouse, capable of feeding all of Europe; others claimed it was a military superpower, ranking fourth in Europe and eighth in the world. And of course, we were one of the most developed countries, according to some fabled Forbes claim, which was later completely debunked. So, let’s focus on the real myths tied to Yugoslavia’s economy.
Myth #1: Yugoslavia’s economy was unstoppable
Sure, on the surface, this claim holds some truth—Yugoslavia did rebuild itself after WWII. But guess what? So did every other European country transitioning from wartime to peacetime economies. Technological advancements that had been delayed by the war were now spurring growth across Europe. Yugoslavia’s economic rise had less to do with the Communist Party and Tito, and more with infrastructure projects, agriculture investments, and the application of pre-war technological innovations.
Myth #2: Yugoslavia didn’t live on debt
Yeah, right. This fairy tale falls apart quickly. Yugoslavia’s debt was ballooning at an annual rate of 17.6%. From 1961 to 1981, foreign debt rose from a few hundred million dollars to a staggering $16 billion. If Yugoslavia hadn’t collapsed, that debt today would have amounted to six trillion dollars. Yes, you read that correctly—trillion with a “T”. By 1982, the country admitted it couldn’t pay back its debts and declared bankruptcy. But of course, you wouldn’t have heard about that on the tightly controlled state TV news.
Myth #3: There were no shortages in Yugoslavia
If you think there were no shortages, you might want to think again. Especially in the early 1980s, shortages became a reality—starting with fuel. Remember the “odd-even” car license plate system? You could only drive your car on certain days depending on whether your license plate ended in an odd or even number. And if that didn’t limit you enough, they introduced fuel coupons, allowing you to buy only 40 liters of gas a month. Not to mention shortages of coffee, sugar, oil… Want us to remind you about that shiny, prosperous Yugoslavia again?
Myth #4: Everyone had a job in Yugoslavia
This one also doesn’t hold up. While it’s often said that everyone worked in Yugoslavia, the reality is that nearly a million people left the country to find work abroad. Austria, Germany, France, and even the U.S. and Australia became homes to Yugoslav workers, many of whom went abroad to support their families. Officially, unemployment ranged from 9 to 13%, and by the late 1980s, it climbed to 16%.
Myth #5: Workers’ rights were untouchable
And now for the final fairy tale—workers’ rights were supposedly sacred in Yugoslavia. Yet, the truth is that strikes happened regularly, though you wouldn’t know it from state-controlled media. For example, strikes in shipyards like Uljanik in 1967 were among many that challenged the idea that Yugoslav workers were in control of their own destinies. So much for “self-management.”
So, what can I say? Yugoslavia wasn’t exactly the paradise people want to remember. It was more like a roller-coaster ride where you’re not quite sure if you’ll make it to the end in one piece—or with any fuel left in the tank.
Duje Kaurin l poskok.info
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