ABSTRACT
Throughout the recent history of Bosnia-Herzegovina (Bosnia), optimism has competed with pessimism about the future viability of the complex political structure that was established after the Dayton Accords. Lowest optimism is recorded for assessments of the cultural life in the community and of the future for young people in the place where they live. Strongest optimism is recorded for trust and liking of people living in the community and of the evaluation of the overall situation in the community. The people of Bosnia have to deal not only with a transition to democracy and a free market economy, but also with the painful legacy of a brutal civil war, caused massive population displacement and left communities struggling with interethnic intolerance and mistrust. It is easy to see why citizens would find it hard to be optimistic about Bosnia's future. The viability of a state like Bosnia is probably more dependent on public support than most states.
