Globalization

Croatia’s accession to the European Union on July 1, 2013 marked a major epoch in Croatia’s journey to the world stage. However, the 2013 Enlargement of the EU was not the first time Croatia had held a prominent place in world affairs. Croatia has seen periods of world leadership, particularly during its tenure as a member of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Furthermore, Croatia continues to make a global name for itself in the tourism realm as a prime beach holiday spot. As Croatia’s prominence continues to grow, Croatia will continue to rise a significant member of a global society.

While much of Croatia’s history has seen the country delegated to provincial status of much larger empires, the country has had brief periods of international importance. The first of these occurred during ancient times, when the modern day Croatia was contained within the Roman administrative provinces of Dalmatia and Pannonia. The Emperor Diocletian was born near the Provincial Capitol city of Salona, in the town of Split. His expansive palace was later constructed in the city of Split.

Fast forward approximately two thousand years, and Croatia has forsaken its newly found independence and embraced the anti-fascist and multi-ethnic Federal People’s Republic of Yugoslavia. Refraining from making alliances with either the Soviet Union or the United States, the country instead became a world leader in the Non-Aligned Movement. Headed by then leader and ethnic Croat Josip Broz Tito, who also oversaw the country’s name change to the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Croatia was a part of a “middle course” for countries who did not wish to align themselves with either the Eastern or Western bloc. At its height, the Non-Aligned Movement had 120 members and 17 observers, though modern historians dispute the validity of some member’s claims for non-alignment.

Tito was instrumental to the development of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and was supported by the second President of Egypt, Gamal Abdel Nasser, and the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru. The foundation of the organization was laid during the 1955 Asia-Africa Bandung Conference held in Indonesia. The principles of the movement, according to the initial manifesto, stated that member states should seek policies that would prevent them from entering into entanglements with either the US or USSR. Additionally, member countries stated that they “create an independent path in world politics that would not result in member States becoming pawns in the struggles between the major powers.” The NAM was highly progressive for its time, striving to “identif[y] the right of independent judgment, the struggle against imperialism and neo-colonialism, and the use of moderation in relations with all big powers as the three basic elements that have influenced its approach.” The very first NAM Summit conference would take place in Yugoslavia during September of 1961.

The Brijuni Islands: location of prison camps, exotic biological preserves, world class resorts and international summits. Source: http://www.brijuni.hr/en/

Tito’s home base of the Brijuni Islands served as a central meeting location for the leaders of the Non-Alignment Movement, who began meeting there regularly in 1956. Tito was also differed from his Eastern European peers by opening Yugoslavia’s borders. Economic reforms in the early 1960s brought stress on the traditionally socialist Yugoslavian market. In an effort to increase living standards and promote the democratization of Yugoslavian society. In 1967, Yugoslavian authorities began issues passports for its citizens to travel to Western countries, at first restricted in Italy and Austria, that opened up Croatia to tourism and industry. Over one million Yugoslavians would later travel outside the country to work in Western nations, and Croatia’s rapidly developing tourism industry received visitors from all over the world.

Croatia’s Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic, left, and the European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-22386837

Croatia’s brief history of modern independence has been shaped by progressive progressive policies designed to rapidly integrate Croatia with the global economy. Pursuing these policies was incentive with the promise of European Union membership and access to the free trade zones and investment opportunities. In November of 2001, The Croatian government signed the Stabilization and Association Agreement after it’s approval by the Croatian Sabor (Parliament) in May of that same year. As the 28th EU member, Croatia now enjoys certain economic privileges, including being a part of the unified European market, and is working towards adopting the Euro and joining the Schengen Area. Croatians themselves have guaranteed healthcare standards and access to tariff-free goods and services.

The country underwent several economic and political reforms prior to joining the EU, with much focus on market practices. Croatia had previous engaged in trade with countries that also followed socialist models, placing an emphasis on appropriate political “chemistry” rather than efficient economic opportunities. The transition to a Western model of trade and market has been difficult for Croatia, due to lack of efficient incentives and export opportunities. While the country is now in a more compatible trading partner for Western countries, corruption and remnant socialist policies and attitudes continue to interfere with Croatia’s integration into the global economy.