ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a brief historical background and a description of major events in Croatia. It also provides basic political, economic, and social data arranged in the following categories: polity, economy, population, purchasing power parities, life expectancy, ethnic groups, capital, political rights, civil liberties, and status. The chapter discusses the progress and decline of political rights and civil liberties in Croatia. In 2001, Croatia celebrated its tenth anniversary of independence from the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Croatian voters can change their government democratically, The constitution guarantees citizens age 18 or older the right to universal and equal suffrage. In 2000, Croatia's new leaders linked the restoration of civil liberties with reductions in presidential power. Croatia's new leadership has launched an aggressive economic reform program, but high unemployment—more than 20 percent in 2001—and policies that have resulted in lower wages and job losses in the public sector have made it a target of criticism and public protest.
