Nikola Mijatov

Institut za savremenu istoriju, Beograd

nikolamijatov@gmail.com 

Yugoslavia and the Socialist International (1951–1954)

Abstract: The topic of this paper are the dynamic relations between Yugoslavia and the Socialist International in 1951–1954. These relations are considered through the possibility of Yugoslavia joining the Socialist International, as well as separate events that had significantly influenced their development: the case of Živko Topalović, the interference of the Socialist International in the Trieste crisis and the reactions of the Socialist International to Yugoslavia’s growing engagement with the Third World.

Keywords: Yugoslavia, Socialist International, Živko Topalović, Trieste crisis

Summary: The period of 1951–1954 saw the establishment of dynamic relations between Yugoslavia and the Socialist International. Even the possibility Yugoslavia joining to the International was regarded at its first Congress in 1951, and again in 1953. Still, the contradictions between a communist country and social democratic parties of Western Europe were just too sharp. Relations were further established with each party individually, where the dominant issue was not the ideology itself but the political issues between the countries. Adding to this, there were several phenomena that had affected relations with the Socialist International. As a constant issue, the presence of Živko Topalović in the Socialist International was used to reduce the influence of Yugoslavia in the International itself. Relations had significantly deteriorated when the Socialist International tried to interfere in the Trieste crisis, which the Yugoslav government regarded as a strictly internal issue. Finally, with growing relations between Yugoslavia and the socialists of Asia, and the formation of the new Non-Aligned foreign policy, relations were drawn to a halt. In addition, the case of Milovan Đilas in 1954 and overall condemnation of social democracy within Yugoslavia marked a turning point in the dynamic and complex relations between Yugoslavia and the Socialist International.