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Eastern Europe: New Frontiers in the Old World—Slovenia
by Zmago Kovač
Summary of an Essay by Tomaž Mastnak:
From Social Movements to National Sovereignty
A failed attempt to stifle the liberalization of the sixties began, and by the late seventies the unitary state began to fall.
A youth subculture called the "punk movement", was the first recognized social movement in Slovenia. ... Also, intellects in Slovenia threw their support to the members of the movement and the state socialist youth organization refused to be used to slander the members of the movement. ... Later, other movements came to bear in the process–although they were not all the most wholesome, they were instrumental in breaking the control of Belgrade (the seat of Yugoslav communist control) over Slovenia. ...
In Slovenia, the alternative movement was ingrained in society–not just a part of it, as in other parts of Yugoslavia. ... This led to more balanced reporting in Slovenia, so the press was no longer used by the government for implementing "political justice. ...
In the spirit of "if you cant beat em, join em," the League of Communists of Slovenia attempted to cast itself in a new light, but intended only to redirect this new movement down the old path of socialism. ...
In 1990, free elections were held in Slovenia. ...
Slovenia gained its independence following ten days of low-level warfare. Slovenia escaped the devastation of war, such as that which occurred in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
(from Independent Slovenia: Origins, Movements, Prospects St. Martins Press, 1994, 1996)
Facts Section:
Slovenia is an exception to the norm for countries that have broken the chains of socialism and now endeavor to join the free market society. ...
One of the smaller countries in Europe, Slovenia is about the size of the state of Massachusetts. A mere 20,243 square kilometers in area, Slovenia is home to a diverse assortment of terrain. ... There are three distinct ranges within Slovenia’s modest border: the Julian Alps in the North West, the Karavanke Alps along the Austrian border and South of these lie the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, the smallest range. Triglav (meaning three heads), the highest (2,864m) peak in Slovenia is part of the Julian Alps and is featured, along with the coast and rivers, in the crest of the Slovene flag. The rivers in Slovenia are not suitable for commercial navigation; however there is suitable water for sports such as kayaking, fishing and leisurely boating. Caves are a tourist attraction open all year in Slovenia. ... Lake Bled is another popular tourist area where one will find Slovenia’s sole island as well as Tito’s favorite summer vacation getaway: a castle overlooking the lake. The real beauty, though, is only twenty minutes drive past Bled where Lake Bohinj sits peacefully nestled along with alpine meadows among the peaks of the eastern Alps. ... There is a concerted effort in Slovenia to conserve their dense forests following decades of exploitation by the government owned wood industry in the socialist past. ... Ljubljana is home to the largest and first university in the country with Maribor being home to the second university as well as the second largest city. ...
Slovenia is well situated to play an important part in Europe’s future economy, since Slovenias geographical location places it in control of important land transportation routes for Eastern and Central Europe. Manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment are the main exports of Slovenia. The industrial port city of Koper, located on the Northern end of the Slovene coastline, is of great importance to Central Europe. Throughout the twentieth century, Slovenia has been the more advanced source of manufactured goods in the South Slavic region and this disparity with its fellow states in the former Yugoslavia is responsible in a large part, for making independence necessary for the sake of Slovenias economic well being. ... Slovenia has healthy trade relations with its neighbors. ... Slovenia has been modifying its marketing and export laws in a campaign to join the European Union. It is expected that Slovenia will be accepted in 2003 or 2004. ...
The majority of the land in Slovenia being forest, the country has had a large wood product industry in the past. ... Slovenia supplies several of its own brewing companies that produce superb beers–mostly for local consumption.
Approximate Word count = 3540
Approximate Pages = 14.2
(250 words per page double spaced)
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