engleski

Articulation of the Croatian Farmers' Interests Through Protests

The Croatian farmers have experienced significant changes in their position since early nineties of the last century. The changes resulted in political affirmation of the farming community that had been pushed on the margins, both in economic and socio-political sense, since the end of the Second World War. Their chances to articulate their interests have generally been very limited on the local, regional and national level. The farmers came into a spotlight by organising protests and blocking the highways in Central and Eastern Croatia in late nineties, which consequently caused some political parties to start fighting for their support. Our research was conducted among the farmers who have/have not participated in the protests, and it was aimed at determining their attitude towards the protests, their views of social and economic position of the farmers, and at learning the essential motivation for the protests. Although the initial cause for the protests was wheat purchase price, other numerous reasons were also included, such as current economic, social and political problems facing the farmers. The research results indicate high level of dissatisfaction with the current agricultural policy (71.2% finds it very bad or mostly bad), while the material and social position of the farmers is considered as very poor.

farmers; protest; articulation of interests

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