Tito: The Good Dictator? (with Igor Radulovic)

Josip Broz Tito, the long term ruler of Yugoslavia, is a fascinating and complex figure considered by many as an example of a "good" dictator. During his tenure from the Second World War until his death in 1980, Tito skilfully navigated the intricate web of ethnic diversity within Yugoslavia, fostering relative stability and economic development. His policy of non-alignment during the Cold War allowed Yugoslavia to maintain independence from both the Eastern and Western blocs. Despite these achievements, Tito's leadership was not without criticism. His regime exhibited authoritarian tendencies, employing censorship and political repression to suppress dissent. Moreover, economic challenges emerged in the later years of his rule. The legacy of Tito is thus a nuanced one, reflecting the delicate balance he maintained between unity and control in Yugoslavia.

In exploring his fascinating life, I am joined by fellow history buff Igor Radulovic, who himself is a historian from Montenegro (formerly a part of Yugoslavia). Igor is a member of the project team that educates teachers about the usage of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (Mechanism) archives when preparing history lessons on the 1990s conflicts in the former Yugoslavia. To find out more about Igor’s work, click here.

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Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.

Music: As History Unfolds by Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen.

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