History education used as ideological tool in the region

An analysis of history education in the region suggests that instead of fostering critical thinking, history lessons are being used as tools for ideological indoctrination. The text argues that political elites use the past to shape a projected national and patriotic consciousness, effectively treating history classes as a form of pre-military training designed to create clear divisions between ‘us’ and ‘them’.

This trend is exemplified by the official ceremonies in Serbia surrounding the funeral of war criminal Ratko Mladić. The event, which saw participants portraying the convicted criminal as a hero, is cited as evidence of a refusal to confront the criminal legacy of the 1990s. The analysis notes that while political leaders like Aleksandar Vučić may use such figures to legitimize current policies, the identification with such figures by younger generations remains a significant social phenomenon.