Recent elections in Bosnia reveal several hopeful trends even as they underscore the fundamental weaknesses of the system created at Dayton. However, more is involved in democracy than technically correct elections and workable results. The electoral system is biased in favor of nationalist elites who still cling to power, and whose accountability to an electorate is weak. The culture of democracy is beginning to take root, but more must be done in establishing the rule of law, combating crime, and reorganizing the economy .
Separation endures despite international efforts to unify the two entities.
Lauren Van Metre War criminals wander freely in Bosnia and Serbia. The arrest of relatively small fry does not substitute for holding leaders accountable. Their presence, and the political message it sends is a contributing factor to the climate of insecurity that limits refugee returns, particularly in minority areas. The international community has in the past year been clearer about its goals and more forceful in its means. While there have been noticeable improvements and progress, there is still much more to be done in the area of civilian implementation to meet the basic conditions for peace and stability that were laid out at Dayton.