Socialist legacy and some current issues of environmental protection in a European transitional society: Serbian example

Abstract

Post-socialist societies are increasingly concerned with environmental and natural resources management issues. Their former, “state-regulated economy” practice cared more about fulfilling production goals and targets, than about negative effects on the environment that such actions may impose. This legacy left behind environmental consequences that are often hard to mend. But Serbia, as part of SFR Yugoslavia, was less degraded than the countries of Western, Central and Eastern Europe, whereas some important foundations for nature and environment protection have been laid. This analysis marked three most influential periods in recent history of Serbia, regarding environment protection: Socialistic period; Period of crisis; and Period of harmonisation with EU legislation. Serbian (post)transition society is still experiencing deep socio-economic-political crisis, that has numerous repercussions in environmental planning and management, and there is urgent need for application of newer, more successful and influential policies, tools and instruments.