This book investigates the complex interplay of nationalism and federalism in Yugoslavia from 1962 to 1991, a period marked by escalating ethnic tensions and institutional shifts that ultimately led to civil war. Sabrina P. Ramet, a noted scholar of Yugoslav history and politics, analyzes the multinational state's internal dynamics, focusing on interethnic relations, regionalism, and the balance of power. The work examines the institutional mechanisms for cooperation and policy-making, the autonomy of federal units, and the economic and political debates that fueled nationalist sentiments among various ethnic groups, culminating in the rise of Slobodan Milosevic and the eventual collapse of the federation.

This revised edition of Ramet's seminal work is recognized for its comprehensive historical and political analysis of Yugoslavia's disintegration. Scholars and students of Balkan history have widely cited its detailed examination of the forces that propelled the nation toward conflict. The book is valued for its in-depth look at the institutional frameworks and the specific nationalist movements that defined the late Yugoslav period. Its thoroughness in tracing the roots of the civil war makes it an authoritative resource for understanding the region's complex past.