Abstract
The primary objective of this paper is to examine patterns of regional development in Serbia and to identify underlying geographical factors of these patterns. Principal component analysis is used to reveal the basic dimensions of regional differentiation. Its results are described in the context of findings from thematically similar research on Central European countries. An area's position in the national settlement system hierarchy has been identified as the strongest determinant of regional differentiation in Serbia. Other strong patterns seem to be connected with macro-geographical position. Success in economic development is most apparent in regions near the metropolitan area of Belgrade, and the general development level, along with a predisposition for agriculture, exhibits a strong north-south polarization. Specific attention is directed at demographic development, which is characterized by a west-east gradient. Central patterns of regional differentiation are similar to those uncovered in previous Central European research. Regional policy in Serbia should, therefore, try to learn from experience within this region to cope with processes and problems that are often quite similar. .
Highlights
In Central, Eastern and South-eastern Europe, post-communist transformation has been progressing at varying intensity with varying rates of success
While other post-communist countries were already knocking on the door of the European Union (EU), Serbia was struggling to emerge from democratic revolution and to apply elementary, market-oriented reforms
The resulting pattern cannot be interpreted as a universal development trend, but, in terms of economic output and employment and in light of the very low initial level of these characteristics, the message of Figure 2 is clear: northern Central Serbia is coping with post-communist transformation and exhibits the best results so far
Summary
In Central, Eastern and South-eastern Europe, post-communist transformation has been progressing at varying intensity with varying rates of success. This paper seeks to demonstrate, primarily on a theoretical basis originating from the Czech Republic, that, regardless of the specificity of the Serbian case, the basic factors determining regional development in most post-communist countries of Central Europe are valid for Serbia. The underlying idea is that core geographical determinants are stable and, unless there is a strong force opposing them – such as communism’s directive economic system or another autocracy, outcomes will be similar and manifest themselves extensively as soon as system changes allow them to do so If this expectation holds true, it would strongly support a hypothesis describing the transferability of foreign experience with regional development into the Serbian environment. Four indicators focus on the structure of employment, followed by four demographic indicators and two additional factors
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