American Association of Teachers of Slavic and East European Languages

Slovenia in European Affairs: Reflections on Slovenian Political History by John A. ArnezReview by: D. A. TomasicThe Slavic and East European Journal, Vol. 4, No. 2 (Summer, 1960), p. 193Published by: American Association of Teachers of Slavic and East European LanguagesStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/305239 .

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Brief Notices 193

the West, as it turned out to be a definite proof of the bitter dis- illusionment of a leading Communist ideologist with practical consequences of the Marxian system, especially by showing the brutal mechanics of Communist power. While socialist content had been achieved, Djilas claimed, socialist form had become glaringly absent from Yugoslavia's life. This thesis is pre- sented within the framework of the theme stressing the inevit- able eruption of elemental human force, essentially good in character, breaking through the codified dogma and rigid social custom imposed from some source foreign to man's essential nature. These spontaneous forces need no govermental super- vision, but only an open society, breathing space for genuine creativity, and direct and open contact among friends. On the whole, Djilas' espousal of the elementary premises of a demo- cratic society are a logical counterpart of his ever-broadening conception of a free society. For these views, Djilas has been in prison since 1956.

Joseph S. Roucek University of Bridgeport

John A. Arnez. Slovenia in European Affairs: Reflections on Slovenian Political History. New York, Washington: League of CSA, 1958. x, 204 pp.

This book is a story of a small nation surrounded by power- ful empires. The politics of such a nation seems to have been determined by its desire to preserve its ethnic identity and cul- tural autonomy against irredentistic and imperialistic designs of its neighbors. The book begins with an analysis of the stra- tegic importance of the territory on which the Slovenes are settled. The following chapters give a detailed account of the struggle of the Slovenes to preserve their unity and their politi- cal rights, a struggle which often dictated an opportunistic atti- tude in politics, particularly in the role of the Slovenes have played in pre-World War II Yugoslavia. The author stresses that this opportunism has been imperative from the point of view of Slovene national interests. But he also emphasizes the desire of the Slovenes for political independence, if such an indepen- dence could be achieved without territorial losses and without fear of military or economic aggression on the part of the neigh- bors. It is possible that after the downfall of the Communist regime in Eastern Europe, such aspirations might be realized in a united and free commonwealth of European nations.

D. A. Tomasic Indiana University

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