ORIGINAL RESEARCH PAPER
Analyzing Youth Perspectives on Soft Security: A Comparative Study of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia
by
Selma Delalić 1 
Emina Alilović 2
Sanin Bilić 3
1 International Burch University, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
2 International Burch University, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
3 International Burch University, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
ABSTRACT
In recent decades, security threats have evolved beyond traditional, state-centric paradigms toward more complex, hybrid forms, thereby elevating the significance of “soft security” in academic and policy discourse. Against this backdrop, this study examines and compares the perceptions of young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia regarding non-military security risks, including economic instability, organized crime, corruption, and climate change. The younger generations in the Western Balkans are increasingly reframing their understandings of security in response to hybrid threats that transcend conventional military frameworks. To explore how socio-political factors—such as Croatia’s European Union membership and Bosnia and Herzegovina’s fragmented governance—shape these perceptions, the study employs a comparative cross-sectional survey design involving 308 respondents (203 from Bosnia and Herzegovina and 105 from Croatia). The findings underscore the urgent need for targeted policy measures that address youth-specific concerns, enhance civic literacy, and strengthen trust in institutions. Furthermore, the study highlights the pivotal role of youth engagement in developing resilient security architectures and promoting regional stability. While the research does not claim statistical generalizability, the identified trends provide a critical foundation for future monitoring of youth attitudes. These insights are instrumental for designing effective strategies to fortify the resilience of security frameworks in the Western Balkans and to foster inclusive, sustainable approaches to regional security.
Keywords: Western Balkans, soft security, youth perceptions, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia
HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE
Delalić S., Alilović E., Bilić S. (2025). Analyzing Youth Perspectives on Soft Security: A Comparative Study of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, MAP Social Sciences, 6, 22-39. doi: https://doi.org/10.53880/2744-2454.2025.6.22