I lived in Yugoslavia also. And no, what he described was common, at least how I remember. YU did have secret police, but it wasn't as bad as in countries under

I lived in Yugoslavia also. And no, what he described was common, at least how I remember. YU did have secret police, but it wasn't as bad as in countries under Soviets. Generally life in ex YU from in 70s and on was pretty decent. We have better standards now (Slovenia), but some parts have worse living conditions than when they were in YU. And the gap between haves and have not is ever increasing. So author is not alone in what he is thinking.