Endorsement and Social Role of the Ethos of Conflict in Serbia

Abstract

The study’s aims are to analyze the endorsement of the ethos of conflict (EoC )‎narrative in the Serbian-Albanian conflict among the adults in Serbia, its relation ‎to political conservatism, and its role in pushing conservative political action. A total of N = 1613 adults (aged 18+) were recruited for face-to-face interviewing, ‎in a representative sampling procedure, in December 2019 in Serbia.‎ The results show high endorsement of EoC in the Serbian-Albanian fray; the‎ mediation effect of EoC (having both high EoC and high conservatism is associated‎ with greater political activism); the relation between EoC and political‎ activism is moderated by age (the older population endorsing higher EoC‎ was more politically active). In the future, we should address more actively the‎ mobilizers of reactionary political actions in public and individual spheres, to‎ better understand the mechanisms for achieving long-term peace.‎