Political System of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Srpska

There are two main goals of studying this subject: the first is to familiarize students with
history, constitutional structure and functioning of the political system of Bosnia and
Herzegovina and Republika Srpska, and the second is for students to learn to analyze critically
political processes taking place in the state and entity. Political system of Bosnia and
Herzegovina - as constructed in the Dayton Agreement - is specific by
much in relation to what is considered usual in political theory, and confusing
is because of the way it practically works. Namely, the system works with such a large
stresses and with a huge expenditure of energy that some even question the long-term
the possibility of survival of such a wasteful system. That is why students must be
able to objectively understand, analyze and evaluate all political relations,
processes and structures in BiH and RS.

Through listening to this course, writing seminar papers and participating in exercises
students should learn how to describe, analyze and explain political phenomena and
processes, to learn to interpret political measures and actions and to learn to predict theirs
possible outcomes. Modern history of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its political system
history is a paradox of how a state does not know how to be a state; it is tragic and instructive
an experience from which much can be learned. Therefore, the study will deal with analysis
normative solutions with the analysis of real relationships and the analysis of theoretical constructions with
analysis of the foundations on which these constructs rest. The purpose of this approach is to make students
train them to analyze theoretical and ideological issues independently and without any prejudices
models and the practical measures taken to embody the models.

1. Theoretical determination of politics and the political system
2. State and state power
3. Theoretical determination of constitutionality, legality and rule of law
4. Historical overview of the statehood and development of the political system of Bosnia and Herzegovina
5. Dayton Peace Agreement
6. Institution of the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina (OHR)
7. Division of jurisdiction in Bosnia and Herzegovina
8. Legislative power in Bosnia and Herzegovina
9. Executive power in Bosnia and Herzegovina
10. Judicial system and constitutional judiciary in Bosnia and Herzegovina
11. Economic system of Bosnia and Herzegovina
12. Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina
13. Euro-Atlantic integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina
14. Consociational democracy in Bosnia and Herzegovina
15. Political parties, elections and citizen participation in Bosnia and Herzegovina

1. Kasapović, M. (2005). Bosna i Hercegovina: podijeljeno društvo i nestabilna država. Zagreb: Politička kultura.

   (Original)

2. Marković, G. (2012). Bosanskohercegovački federalizam. Beograd: Službeni glasnik i Sarajevo: University Press (određena poglavlja).

   (Original)

3. Nešković, R. (2013). Nedovršena država. Banja Luka: Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.

   (Original)

4. Opšti okvirni sporazum za mir u Bosni i Hercegovini (tzv. Dejtonski mirovni sporazum).

   (Original)

5. Ustav Republike Srpske.

   (Original)

Checking knowledge and determining how active students are in class is done during
the whole semester. Knowledge is checked using two colloquia, and students' activity is
expressed through writing seminar papers, attending classes regularly, participating in debates,
preparation of presentations and through other forms of creative participation in the teaching process. On the
in this way, students fulfill pre-examination obligations through which they can acquire 50 points
(two colloquiums of 20 points each, a seminar paper of 5 points and regular and active attendance
classes 5 points). The final exam is conducted orally and it tests knowledge from
of the entire material, and carries a maximum of 50 points. The final grade is calculated by adding points from
pre-exam obligations and exam scores.

Lectures and exercises with interactive learning. Interactive learning in groups.
Showing video material and documentaries. Seminars in literature.
Written seminar papers. Oral comments and short presentations in class.
Consultations.