The Power of Words: A Study of Serbian Strategic Narratives about the Srebrenica Massacre and Bosniaks’ Responses to Them
Translated title
Ordenes kraft: Et studie af serbiske strategiske fortællinger om massakren i Srebrenica og bosniers respons til dem
Author
Demo, Mirela
Term
4. term
Publication year
2017
Submitted on
2017-11-01
Pages
138
Abstract
This study examines Serbian strategic narratives about the 1995 Srebrenica massacre and how Bosniaks respond to them. It focuses on the narratives of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Republic of Srpska President Milorad Dodik, analyzing their verbal statements from 8 June 2015 to 11 July 2017. Using Miskimmon, O’Loughlin and Roselle’s framework for strategic narratives, the analysis combines Stanley Cohen’s denial theory and Sabrina Ramet’s ‘denial syndrome’ with Sara Ruddick’s concept of maternal thinking to assess how these narratives frame Srebrenica’s history and affect peacebuilding. The study also includes interviews with Bosniaks connected to the Republic of Srpska to capture reception. Findings indicate that both Vučić and Dodik deny the interpretation of the massacre, with Dodik at times engaging in literal denial; prioritizing perseverance over general social acceptability contributes to distrust among Bosniak informants and complicates reconciliation. The project clarifies why conflicting views persist and where key obstacles to a shared understanding lie.
Dette studie undersøger serbiske strategiske fortællinger om massakren i Srebrenica i 1995 og hvordan bosniakker reagerer på dem. Fokus er på præsidenterne Aleksandar Vučić (Serbien) og Milorad Dodik (Republic of Srpska) og deres mundtlige udtalelser i perioden 8. juni 2015 til 11. juli 2017. Med Miskimmon, O’Loughlin og Roselles ramme for strategiske narrativer kombineres analyse af politiske udsagn med Stanley Cohens benægtelsesteori og Sabrina Ramets ‘denial syndrome’ samt Sara Ruddicks begreb om maternal thinking for at vurdere, hvordan fortællingerne rammesætter Srebrenicas historie og påvirker fredsopbygning. Derudover inddrages interviews med bosniakker med tilknytning til Republic of Srpska for at belyse modtagelsen. Resultaterne indikerer, at både Vučić og Dodik benægter massakrens fortolkning, og at Dodik til tider også udøver bogstavelig benægtelse; samtidig prioriterer de vedholdenhed højere end generel social acceptabilitet, hvilket skaber mistillid blandt bosniakiske informanter og vanskeliggør forsoning. Undersøgelsen søger dermed at afklare, hvorfor modstridende opfattelser består, og hvor barriererne for en fælles forståelse ligger.
[This apstract has been generated with the help of AI directly from the project full text]
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