I was born in late 70s in Croatia (then Yugoslavia), moved in early 90s to Belgrade, Serbia, due to rise of nationalism and violence of official Croatian regime

I was born in late 70s in Croatia (then Yugoslavia), moved in early 90s to Belgrade, Serbia, due to rise of nationalism and violence of official Croatian regime against Serbs. Not that official Serbian regime was any better in that regard, just against other nations, mostly Croatians and Bosnians. I don't consider myself old, but I'm no "modern kid" by any measure. What I observe among today's people of these regions (I travel and keep contact with people all over ex-Yugoslavia - mostly Bosnia, Croatia and Slovenia), regardless of their age, is defeatism and lack of confidence. Most don't beleive they can invent, build or produce anything on their own. Everything needs to be imported. It saddens me because ex-Yugoslavia used to produce computers, cars, electronics, aircrafts, hi-fi audio stuff etc. back in the 80s. Closing of all these industries in 90s had devastating econimical impact, but that was later recovered - they mostly reopened but now under new multinational owners, producing parts for global brands. Smart and industrious people got their salaries back. What hasn't recovered so far is belief that we can again invent and build for ourselves, not sell knowledge and skill to big global players at low price and then buy finished products at much higher price. But then again I think this is not specific just to ex-Yugoslavia, it seems to be global trend.