Individuals and Organizations

Abstract

Chapter VI turns attention on individuals and organizations by emphasizing of the notable features of the Balkan paramilitaries—personal allegiances and building strong personal ties rather than institutional ones. In case of disruption of these ties and drastic changes within organization many Balkan paramilitaries would rather defect or change side. Often these turbulent shifts represented introduction to vicious cycles of vendetta assassinations that threatened to completely paralyse organization’s activities. It also led to the appearance of colourful and interesting personalities whose career paths used to be equally turbulent. Also, opposite to period before the Balkan Wars when organizations tend to rely only on their sponsor states, after the First World War began realignment of organizations following the newly established division on vanquished and victorious. All those who were interested in revision of existing order were considered as convenient ally despite considerable political and ideological differences. In one moment IMRO was forging alliances with Kosovo Committee, Italy, Croatian extremists, and international communist movement.