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Though his rule was authoritarian—suppressing dissent and religious practices—many enjoy relative prosperity and inter-ethnic relations flourished compared to the fragmented state of affairs prior. However, Tito's death in 1980 marked a turning point; without his unifying presence, ethnic tensions began to resurface.
The Power Vacuum and National Sentiment
The 1980s ushered in severe economic hardship exacerbated by political changes. A rotating presidency among the republics failed to provide stable leadership, leading to a power vacuum that further ignited ethnic nationalism. Political elites began manipulating nationalist sentiments to maintain power amidst widespread discontent, with Serbia's Slobodan Milošević emerging as a notable figure.