Republican and Provincial Constitution Making in Yugoslav Politics

Abstract

The federal constitution in Yugoslavia has undergone frequent change since the adoption of the country's first postwar constitution in 1946. In the past thirty-five years, it has been extensively amended five times and completely rewritten twice. Some of these reforms merely codified already-existing practices, while others were used by the Communist party leadership to implement significant changes in the organization and operation of the political system. The changes adopted since 1966 have devolved substantial powers and responsibilities onto the constituent units of the federation--Yugoslavia's six republics and two autonomous provinces-in a process closely paralleling the devolution of power within the party from the central organs to the leaderships of the republican and provincial organizations. As a consequence, the constitutions of the republics and provinces have taken on increased importance in this period. This article will survey changes in these constitutions since 1966, identify the more important differences between them, suggest their political significance, and consider the implications of current changes for post-Tito Yugoslav politics.