Market Socialism and Political Pluralism: Theoretical Reflections on Yugoslavia

In: Studies in East European thought, Volume 53, Issue 4, p. 307-328

Abstract

The theoretical compatibility of market socialism & political pluralism is illustrated by the concrete case of Yugoslavia. The delegate system of government, as it was developed between 1974 & 1990, is discussed, & the claim is explored that this was a different kind of democracy, a nonparty system based on functional representation of workers, local communities, & other social groups. The author hopes that his paper will contribute to an evaluation of the causes leading to the breakup of Yugoslavia & the subsequent civil war, by distinguishing elements of the Yugoslav experiment in self-managed market socialism worth copying from those that contributed to its demise. The author criticizes Edvard Kardelj's argument against political pluralism. E. Sanchez