Breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s

Definition

This refers to the disintegration of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, a multi-ethnic state composed of six republics. The breakup was marked by a series of wars and political crises.

Analogy

It's like a band breaking up because each member wants to pursue their own style or genre. The result is often messy, with legal battles over rights and assets, and fans (citizens) caught in the middle.

Related terms

Ethnic Conflict: A form of conflict between ethnic groups within a state that can lead to violence or war.

Balkanization: The process by which a state breaks down due to conflicts among its ethnicities - named after the Balkan Peninsula where Yugoslavia was located.

Nationalism: A political ideology that emphasizes loyalty, devotion, or allegiance to a nation or nation-state.