Nation by Negation: Apophatic and Cataphatic National Identity after Yugoslavia

This article introduces a novel theoretical framework distinguishing apophatic and cataphatic forms of national identity. Drawing inspiration from theological traditions and post-structuralist theory, we define apophatic national identity (ANI) as a mode of self-definition grounded in negation; articulating what a nation is not, often by rejecting association with a constitutive Other. In contrast, cataphatic national identity (CNI) is constructed affirmatively, through positive attributions of values, symbols, and myths. Using Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro as case studies, we explore how national identities in the post-Yugoslav region have been shaped primarily through apophatic processes, particularly in opposition to Serbian identity. The paper argues that this negative mode of identity formation, while politically expedient in transitional or post-conflict contexts, carries long-term risks for social cohesion and identity consolidation. Through comparative analysis, we show that while cataphatic narratives are slowly emerging, they remain underdeveloped or subordinated to the dominant logic of negation. This typology offers new insights for scholars of nationalism, identity politics, and post-imperial state formation.