Imposed unions and imperfect states: the State Union of Serbia-Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina in comparative perspective

This paper explores the political conflicts generated by imposed unions and the unionist actors (international and domestic) that defend them. It shows how the imposed political institutions symbolise directly or indirectly not only unionism in these states but also the resulting contestation over the statehood of these unions. It takes as its examples the State Unions of Serbia and Montenegro and of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Building on the existing literature the paper examines the links between the imposed nature of these two states and the continuation of state contestation. It assesses how contestation becomes an integral part of a political system, undermining decision-making procedures and making the union completely dysfunctional. It asks how this dysfunctionality might be overcome. Finally, the paper addresses the comparative significance of these cases for partially functional unions, like Northern Ireland.