Beyond Ethnonationalism? Reflecting on River Conservation and Representation 30 Years After Dayton

Thirty years after the Dayton Peace Agreement (DPA) established a corporate consociational framework in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the political system remains dominated by ethnonational divisions, which marginalize cross-segmental interests. This paper explores the representation of environmental concerns—specifically river conservation—as a case study to evaluate the capacity of the post-Dayton system to address non-ethnic issues. Using Michael Saward’s Representative Claims Theory, the paper examines the dynamics between claim-makers such as activists, NGOs, and politicians, and the broader citizenry. Findings highlight a dual feedback loop where grassroots actors successfully mobilize support while elected officials face mistrust due to perceptions of corruption and ethnonational bias. Despite legislative successes achieved through public pressure, the study underscores the enduring influence of consociational culture on political representation. This analysis contributes to understanding the Dayton framework's strengths and limitations in addressing cross-segmental challenges, with broader implications for post-conflict governance.