Dayton At 30: Peace, Power, And The Politics Of Post-War Bosnia & Herzegovina
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61007/QdC.2026.2.448Keywords:
Dayton, post-cold war europe, bosnia and Herzegovina, Jugoslavia, Jugoslavian warsAbstract
Thirty years after the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement, Bosnia and Herzegovina remains a complex case of post-conflict reconstruction and institutional evolution. This essay revisits Dayton’s historical significance, highlighting its role in halting violence and initiating peace. It examines the agreement’s structural strengths and enduring limitations, particularly its ethno-political framework and implications for democratic governance. The perspectives of all constituent peoples and other citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina are explored, alongside the evolving role of the international community in state-building and reform. Special attention is given to the challenges of institutional development, civic inclusion, and reconciliation. By tracing the trajectory from cessation of hostilities to contested statehood, the essay offers a reflection on Dayton’s legacy, future relevance and current academic perspectives.
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