False Dawn: The Failed Reform of the Yugoslav Secret Political Police 1966–1980

The paper examines the 1966 reform of the Yugoslav secret political police from the legal and operational perspectives, and assesses its outcome. The analysis spans from 1966 to 1980, concluding with the death of Josip Broz, as the country’s political landscape underwent substantial changes following his passing. The research hypothesis is that the reform of the Yugoslav secret political police was a failure. The examination includes political incentives for reform, the 1966 legislative reform and its legacy, the beginning of the reversal of the reform in 1971, and the full reversal starting in 1973. The hypothesis is confirmed. The crucial reason for the failure was the disappointment of the political elite with the reform results and their concerns, amid the political and economic liberalisation of the country, about preserving their monopoly on power. These concerns led to the re-bolshevisation of the country, killing the reform of the secret political police.