Interethnic relations in BH – sociological context

Abstract

The paper is based on the research of interethnic relations
in BH society, cold interethnic relations caused by ethnic distance.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a union of differences, a country
where three majority, or constitutive, nations merge and interact
is a suitable ground for emergence of social distance based on the
negative ethnic and national characteristics and attitudes which
are ascribed to other peoples and which develop due to negative
opinion and antipathy towards other ethnic groups. The analysis
includes members of three constitutive peoples, Serbs, Croats
and Bosniaks, three different ethnic groups that share a common
country and territory, but have different cultural heritage. The
primary aim of the study was to show ethnic distance based on
the level of kinship that the members of one ethnic group is ready
to achieve with the members of other ethnic groups, multiethnic
relations within this society, as well as the influence of ethnic and
national prejudices on social distance or closeness. Today, stable
ethnic relations are an important factor of stability and security in
many countries and societies. Just like every ethnic group endeavors
to achieve its individual and collective rights, especially minority
groups, so the countries try to achieve stable interethnic relations
within, as well as utmost security and stability. The countries from
this region burdened with tumultuous past and ethnic conflicts
are trying to achieve the greatest stability and security possible
which is the reason they pay a special attention to the question of
regulating their ethnic relations.