Answer: Tito's Independent Foreign Policy: Yugoslavia, under the leadership of Josip Broz Tito, pursued a policy of non-alignment during the Cold War. Tito was a prominent figure in the Non-Aligned Movement, which sought to maintain neutrality and independence from both the Western and Eastern blocs. This independence allowed Yugoslavia to chart its own course without being subject to direct Soviet control.
Break from the Eastern Bloc: Yugoslavia had already broken away from the Eastern Bloc in 1948 following the Tito-Stalin split. Tito's defiance of Stalin's leadership resulted in Yugoslavia being expelled from the Cominform and marked Yugoslavia's departure from the Soviet sphere of influence. This independence meant that Yugoslavia was not subject to the same level of Soviet control as other Eastern European countries.
Internal Socialist System: Despite its break from the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia remained a socialist state under Tito's leadership. However, it pursued a unique form of socialism known as "self-management socialism," which emphasized workers' control and decentralized decision-making. This distinct socialist model further set Yugoslavia apart from other Eastern European countries and made it less susceptible to Soviet influence.
Economic Cooperation with the West: Yugoslavia pursued economic cooperation with Western countries, including receiving aid and loans from the West. This economic engagement with the West provided Yugoslavia with a degree of economic autonomy and further reduced its dependence on the Soviet Union.
Overall, Yugoslavia's unique position as a non-aligned socialist state with a history of defying Soviet control made it different from other Eastern European countries that experienced Soviet intervention or suppression of dissent. While the Soviet Union exerted influence in various ways, including through propaganda and diplomatic pressure, Yugoslavia's independence allowed it to maintain a degree of autonomy and pursue its own path during the Cold War.
