Constitution of Yugoslavia (1974)

The decentralized federation that armed republics for separation.

Overview

Adopted in February 1974, the Yugoslav Constitution devolved sweeping authority to the six republics and two provinces, giving them elements of statehood, veto positions within federal organs, and collective presidency rotating among republics. Designed by Edvard Kardelj to balance Tito succession and liberalize self management socialism, it weakened the center fatally. After 1989, its republic level institutions became the legal launch pads for independence, and its provisions were cited by Slovenia and Croatia in 1991. Few constitutions have so directly shaped the legal architecture of state dissolution.