From Nationalism to Anti-Gender Movements: Post-Yugoslav States in Focus

The geopolitics of what was once Eastern Europe during the Cold War has transformed into a battleground for intense (ultra)conservative campaigns in the present day. While significant attention has been directed towards populist strongholds like Poland and Hungary, where anti-gender movements have become integrated into official state ideologies, there exists a notable gap in research concerning other regions of post-socialist Europe. Specifically, the successor states of Yugoslavia (excluding Croatia and to some extent Slovenia) have received limited attention in the study of anti-gender movements, despite their significant impact on the region's politics. This paper, serving as an introduction to the remaining papers in the panel, aims to address this research gap. Employing a comparative analysis, it seeks to identify both commonalities and distinctive characteristics among the post-Yugoslav countries, which share a historical background but have undergone divergent political developments since 1989. Through this examination, the paper provides insights into the diverse manifestations of anti-gender mobilizations in the region. The post-Yugoslav region is particularly unique, characterized not only by its socialist history but also by its transition into post-socialism. Owing to the legacy of wars, nationalism, and militarism, (ultra)conservative politics have persistently shaped its political landscape since the 1990s. Consequently, this paper offers crucial insights into how contemporary anti-gender mobilizations differ from (ultra-rightwing) nationalism, which took root in this region much earlier than in other parts of Europe. The paper delves into the intricate interplay of nationalism, European integration processes, post-conflict dynamics, and equality politics, unraveling the complex relationships among these forces. It seeks to elucidate how these factors have contributed to the proliferation of anti-gender campaigns in the post-Yugoslav space. However, it's important to note that anti-gender mobilizations in the successor states of Yugoslavia operate within a highly heterogeneous context. These countries exhibit variations in their international status, religious majorities, experiences with military conflicts, and current status of equality policies. The paper navigates the nuances of these opposing factors and illustrates how conservative politics became anti-gender in its frame.