Features of the modern federal structure of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the context of the ongoing interethnic conflict

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Abstract

The article analyzes the constitutional framework of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is shown to be a political system based on agreements aimed at ending the war, but which lacks prospects for sustainable peace and development. Excessive complexity of the governance structure threatens effective governance, interethnic reconciliation, and realization of democratic values enshrined in the constitution. The introduction of consociational principles into the governance system at all levels has not led to dialogue between communities but rather to their further separation, eliminating any mechanisms for inter-ethnic peace that existed prior to the collapse of Yugoslavia. As a result, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s constitutional system is ineffective and maintained artificially through international involvement. It has been concluded that the current constitution poses an insurmountable impediment to the democratic development of the country and the safeguarding of the rights of its citizens.

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About the authors

Svetlana I. Kodaneva

Institute of Scientific Information on Social Sciences of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Author for correspondence.
Email: kodanevas@gmail.com

PhD in Law, Associated Professor, Leading Researcher at the Department of Law

Russian Federation

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