Religion and Politics in Interwar Yugoslavia: Serbian Nationalism and East Orthodox Christianity

Religion and Politics in Interwar Yugoslavia examines the relationship between religion, nationalism, and political modernity in the first half of the 20th century, focusing on the Serbian Orthodox Church. It challenges the assumption that the bond between religion and nationalism in the Balkans is natural or inevitable and argues that the particular political vision of the Serbian Orthodox Church emerged in response to the challenges posed by political modernity.

Format: Hardback
Length: 220 pages
Publication date: 23 February 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The relationship between religion, nationalism, and political modernity in Interwar Yugoslavia is explored in the book. It challenges the notion that the link between religion and nationalism in the Balkans is inevitable or natural by examining the case of the Serbian Orthodox Church. The book tells a complex story of how East Orthodox Christianity became central to one version of Serbian nationalism by bringing together themes such as religion, nationalism, politics, state-building, secularization, and modernity.

Maria Falina reconstructs the ideological fusion between Serbian nationalism and East Orthodox Christianity, highlighting the role of public discourses and historical narratives. The analysis emphasizes the ideas and ideologies of individual actors and their personal histories. The book argues that the specific political vision of the Serbian Orthodox Church emerged in response to the challenges posed by political modernity, which were not unique to Yugoslavia. These challenges included establishing a modern multinational and multi-religious state, combating secularization, and dealing with the rise of communism and fascism.

Religion and Politics in Interwar Yugoslavia offers valuable insights into the history of interwar Yugoslavia, 20th-century Europe, and the complex relationship between religion and nationalism. It challenges the assumption of inevitability and provides a nuanced understanding of the historical processes that shaped the region. The book contributes to our understanding of these important historical topics and their relevance to contemporary debates.

Weight: 486g
Dimension: 164 x 242 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350282032