Is it worth fighting for an independent and civic BiH?

(Patria) - Opponents of the idea of a civic Bosnia and Herzegovina, and even those who are not, but are merely skeptical about the realization of this political idea, often reproach its proponents and state that despite their participation in government at one time or another, despite some civic politicians being elected to high office multiple times - the idea has not been realized, and therefore it is supposedly impossible and should be shelved.

How right or wrong are the critics of the civic idea when they talk about its realization, meaning, perspective, and the political justification of the idea itself in the public sphere - this is a question that should be discussed without excessive emotions and tensions. It would certainly be good to set aside the names of the protagonists for now, so that the debate is not burdened solely by daily political motives.

The truth is that the political idea of a civic state is in a subordinate position compared to dominant ethno-political positions and narratives, and for several reasons.

The post-Dayton reality is strongly marked by the formation of ethnically homogeneous communities in BiH, which, although forced to cooperate by circumstances, are not an ideal environment for advocating supra-ethnic civic politics.
Therefore, the rare successes of civic-oriented forces have mostly been recorded in multi-ethnic (state-loyal) environments. Outside of that, civic political options, as well as their prominent individuals, have not had significant results.

Overall, the political reach of all civic options has remained modest, although in the last elections, two candidates who were perceived by the general public as civic won the race for the BiH Presidency.

However, this, on the other hand, indicates that there is potential within the citizenry and among the people for a policy that could be called civic.

The critics of the idea as such are right when they talk about the modest achievements of that political idea in the reality of political life in BiH. Where they are certainly mistaken is when they declare the same idea unrealistic based on the current moment, arguing that this political idea has not yielded any benefits so far.

By the same logic, the same could be said for the independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its sovereignty. Do we have an independent and sovereign Bosnia and Herzegovina today? We have it to a greater or lesser extent, to the extent that the idea of a civic Bosnia and Herzegovina is represented in the political reality of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Of course, this is not to claim that an independent and sovereign Bosnia and Herzegovina is only possible as a civic one (although there is a correlation between these concepts), but rather to emphasize that the fight for such values is permanent, meaning it has been ongoing for decades. The outcome of this struggle does not depend on one mandate, one political party, or any individual, but on the majority of citizens.

Therefore, the objections of opponents of the civic idea against its current proponents are, in a broader sense, unfounded and unacceptable.

The mistakes of proponents and protagonists of civic politics certainly deserve criticism. However, one of the key objections against civic parties must be rejected because it is not political but moralizing in nature - the objection about the moral and political impermissibility of civic parties entering into government with "nationalists".

In the constitutional setup of Bosnia and Herzegovina as it is, which is an expression of balance between the ethnic and civic, and in which, to be truthful, the ethnic prevails in the form of various blockades through ethnic vetoes, the only possible concrete influence on political processes is that which is realized through government.


Entering into government with "nationalists" in the current political reality of Bosnia and Herzegovina in no way means accepting a nationalist program or nationalist values. It primarily means gaining the opportunity to influence processes so that they do not benefit those nationalist forces that want to see the end of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Civic political options in BiH need and must enter into future political alliances with more pragmatism, and all those who are for Bosnia and Herzegovina and have certain reservations regarding the idea of a civic BiH must also know that in the fight for their vision of Bosnia and Herzegovina, they must have allies.

(M.T.)