'A house divided against itself cannot stand’: the EC’s management of the collapse of Yugoslavia

Hughes, James ORCID: 0000-0002-8516-7402 (2024) 'A house divided against itself cannot stand’: the EC’s management of the collapse of Yugoslavia. Irish Studies in International Affairs. ISSN 0332-1460 (In Press)

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Abstract

The break-up of Yugoslavia in 1991 was a classic case in which the interpretation of self-determination led to new thinking about state recognition and identities. The European Community (EC) led the international management of this crisis. In an Irish reunification scenario the EU would likely play a central role. What, then, are the lessons from the Yugoslavia case for Ireland? The EC management of the crisis had two dimensions: a political one, The Hague Peace Conference, and a legal one, the European Communities Conference on Yugoslavia Arbitration Commission. In fact, these two dimensions acted in contradiction to each other. The EC’s political strand was disrupted by differing perceptions within member states of strategic interests. The Arbitration Commission, however, interpreted self-determination in a principled manner that balanced democracy with the protection of national minorities. A similar balancing act is evident in The Good Friday Agreement (1998) by its recognising of multiple national identities and citizenships on the island of Ireland, and that is a good foundation for any rebalancing of principles required for reunification.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	© 2025
Divisions:	Government
Subjects:	J Political Science J Political Science > JZ International relations
Date Deposited:	14 Jan 2025 09:45
Last Modified:	14 Jan 2025 09:48
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/126866

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