<strong>The</strong> <strong>International</strong> <strong>Newsletter</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Communist</strong> <strong>Studies</strong> <strong>Online</strong> 16/2003 21 just before World War Two, in the course <strong>of</strong> the Yugoslav struggle for national liberation, and in the immediate after war periode, when Tito’s Yugoslavia took certain steps in internal and foreign policy without the »big brother’s« knowledge and guidance. <strong>The</strong> studies published on this subject provide certain answers regarding the causes and effects <strong>of</strong> this conflict in relation to the subsequent relations among socialist countries and their communist parties. This collection <strong>of</strong> studies and presentations <strong>of</strong> the scientific conference demonstrates that historiography has already achieved substantial results in discerning the causes, the course, and the consequences <strong>of</strong> these events which marked a turning point in Yugoslav postwar history. Undoubtedly this book will encourage further research <strong>of</strong> this challenging historical subject. <strong>The</strong> Historical Significance and Repercussions <strong>of</strong> the Year 1948 (Ranko Petkovi_) Yugoslavia’s separation from the socialist camp for a period <strong>of</strong> four years had lasting historical and political repercussions, best viewed within the frame <strong>of</strong> the combined internal and external effects <strong>of</strong> this political decision. Internally, the Yugoslav population pr<strong>of</strong>ited from the country’s new foreign policy by enjoying higher standards <strong>of</strong> living than those typical <strong>of</strong> the other socialist states. This improved status included greater political freedom, more opportunity for travel and work abroad, and a series <strong>of</strong> other privileges. Furthermore, the separation from the Eastern bloc reinforced Yugoslavia’s position and reputation in international politics, manifested by the growing interest <strong>of</strong> both superpowers in intensifying cooperation with Yugoslavia and by the country’s leading role in the non aligned movement, and its exceptional popularity among Asian, African and Latin American countries. Despite the fact that Yugoslavia’s decision definitely caused a number <strong>of</strong> negative effects (an insufficient level <strong>of</strong> democracy, a system <strong>of</strong> repression which in some instances, such as Goli Otok, exceeded the repressive measures employed in other socialist countries, and close ties with the most brutal autocratic regimes, such as that <strong>of</strong> Idi Amin, Haile Selassie, and Bocassa), there is no doubt that the positive results <strong>of</strong> the separation outweighed the negative ones. Causes and Effects <strong>of</strong> the Conflict (Sava _ivanov) <strong>The</strong> essay deals with the causes and effects <strong>of</strong> the conflict between Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union in 1948. <strong>The</strong> break in Soviet-Yugoslav relations came as a result <strong>of</strong> a number <strong>of</strong> accumulated differences, from those regarding socialist theory and practice to questions <strong>of</strong> foreign policy, particularly Yugoslavia’s role in the Balkans, which culminated in 1948. <strong>The</strong> breach between Tito and Stalin had multifarious effects. Following the conflict with the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia abandoned the Soviet model <strong>of</strong> social order and set the foundations <strong>of</strong> a new and specific type <strong>of</strong> socialism in the form <strong>of</strong> the »system <strong>of</strong> self-government«, which served as a cornerstone for Yugoslavia’s social and political development for several decades ahead. <strong>The</strong> precedent set by Yugoslavia affected the situation and existing relations within the communist camp, prompting some <strong>of</strong> the
<strong>The</strong> <strong>International</strong> <strong>Newsletter</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Communist</strong> <strong>Studies</strong> <strong>Online</strong> 16/2003 22 country-members toward attempts at social reform. In the sphere <strong>of</strong> foreign politics the conflict with the Soviet Union enabled Yugoslavia to assume a new position in international relations, between the opposing political blocs, and to the subsequent development <strong>of</strong> Yugoslav foreign policy along the principles <strong>of</strong> nonalignment.
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