Bicameralism in Former Yugoslav Republics: Influences and Perspectives

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62733/2026.1.171-193

Keywords:

bicameralism, unicameralism, divided societies, former Yugoslav republics, diversity, constitutional engineering

Abstract

This study examines the concept of bicameralism in the former Yugoslav republics, exploring its role and potential within these societies, which are mostly considered complex and heterogeneous. Bicameralism, which can be a tool for balancing interests in divided societies, has been approached differently across the former Yugoslav states. While countries such as Slovenia maintain a bicameral system, others such as Croatia and Serbia have largely favoured unicameral solutions. By analysing historical and theoretical arguments, this study explores whether a second chamber could enhance democratic processes by representing diverse societal interests or if it is unnecessary in unitary states. Additionally, the study examines alternative mechanisms to bicameralism, assessing their effectiveness in achieving the same goals.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Ackerman, B. (2000) ‘The New Separation of Powers’, Harvard Law Review, 113(3), pp. 633–729; https://doi.org/10.2307/1342286.

Bačić, P. (2007) ‘Drugi dom – stanje, poslanje, perspektive’, Zbornik radova Pravnog fakulteta u Splitu, 44(1), pp. 87–104.

Baketa, N., Kovačić, M. (2010) ‘Tko i kako predstavlja nacionalne manjine’, Političke analize – tromjesečnih za hrvatsku i međunarodnu politiku, 1(3), pp. 11–14.

Bulmer, W.E. (2011) ‘Minority-Veto Referendums: An Alternative to Bicameralism?’, Politics, 31, pp. 107–120; https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9256.2011.01410.x.

Cvetković, A. (2021) Uticaji istorijskih ustava Srbije i Jugoslavije na izgradnju nacionalnog ustavnog identiteta. Beograd: Pravni fakultet Univerziteta u Beogradu (unpublished master thesis).

Dimitrijević, N. (2007) Ustavna demokratija shvaćena kontekstualno. Beograd: Fabrika knjiga.

Đorđević, J. (1982) Ustavno pravo. Beograd: Savremena administracija.

Ilić, D. (2022) Uloga drugog doma u evropskim unitarnim državama. PhD thesis [Online] Available at: https://nardus.mpn.gov.rs/bitstream/handle/123456789/21377/Disertacija_13479.pdf?sequence=1 (Accessed: 10 September 2024).

Jovanović, S. (1932a) ‘Dvodomni sistem’ in Političke i pravne rasprave I-III, knjiga druga. Beograd: Izdavačka knjižarnica Gece Kona.

Jovanović, S. (1932b) ‘Kraljevina SHS’ in Političke i pravne rasprave I-III, knjiga druga. Beograd: Izdavačka knjižarnica Gece Kona.

Jovičić, M. (1996) Regionalna država. Beograd: Izdavačka zajednica Vajat.

Jovičić, M. (1996) Ustav regionalne države Ujedinjenih Srpskih Zemalja – organizacija vlasti. Beograd: Izdavačka zajednica Vajat.

Lijphart, A. (1984) Democracies: Patterns of Majoritarian and Consensus Government in Twenty-One Countries. New Haven: Yale University Press.

Lijphart, A. (1999) Patterns of Democracy: Government Forms and Performance in Thirty Six Countries. New Haven: Yale University Press.

Marinković, T. (2019) ‘Serbia’ in Alen, A., Haljan, D. (eds) International Encyclopaedia of Laws – Constitutional Law. Alphen aan den Rijn: Kluwer Law International.

Marinković, T. (2020) ‘Ustavni identitet Vidovdanske Jugoslavije’ in Begović, B. (ed.) Sto godina od ujedinjenja – formiranje države i prava. Beograd: Pravni fakultet Univerziteta u Beogradu.

Marković, G. (2012) Bosanskohercegovački federalizam. Beograd – Sarajevo: Službeni glasnik – University Press.

Marković, R. (2015) Ustavno pravo. Beograd: Pravni fakultet Univerziteta u Beogradu – Dosije studio.

Milosavljević, B., Popović, D. (2019) Ustavno pravo. Beograd: Pravni fakultet Univerziteta Union u Beogradu – Službeni glasnik.

Palermo, F, Kössler, K (2017) Comparative Federalism - Constitutional Arrangements and Case Law. Oxford: Hart Publishing; https://doi.org/10.5040/9781509901524.

Pavlović, M. (2012) ‘Pitanje broja narodnih poslanika’, Anali Pravnog fakulteta u Beogradu, 60(1), pp. 56–82.

Petričušić, A. (2004) ‘Slovenian Legislative System for Minority Protection: Different Rights for Old and New Minorities’, Noves SL.: Revista de sociolingüística, 2, pp. 1–9 [Online]. Available at: https://www.gencat.cat/llengua/noves/noves/hm04tardor/docs/petricusic.pdf (Accessed: 28 October 2024).

Petrov, V. (2017) Parlamentarno pravo. Beograd: Pravni fakultet Univerziteta u Beogradu.

Pettit, P. (2001) A Theory of Freedom from the Psychology to the Politics of Agency. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Smerdel, B. (2009) ‘Parlamentarni sustav i stabilnost hrvatskog ustava – Slijede li nakon predsjedničkih izbora nove promjene ustrojstva vlasti?’, REVUS – Revija za ustavno teorijo in filozofijo prava, 11, pp. 97–126; https://doi.org/10.4000/revus.1128.

Štrus, D., Brezovnik, B. (2023) ‘Bicameralism in Slovenia throughout a Three Dimensional Approach’, Studia Iuridica Lublinensia, 32(3), pp. 63–74; http://dx.doi.org/10.17951/sil.2023.32.3.63-74.

Downloads

Published

2026-09-21

How to Cite

Cvetković, A. (2026). Bicameralism in Former Yugoslav Republics: Influences and Perspectives. Central European Academy Law Review, 4(1), 171–193. https://doi.org/10.62733/2026.1.171-193

Issue

Section

Articles