Serbian nationalism is still very strong today. Serbian nationalism was one of the many dominoes that started WWI. The Serbian Nationalism is geared today towards Kosovo. Although Kosovo comes later in the history of Serbia, it gave me a first hand glance at Serb pride.
I recently returned this past December from a 12 month deployment to Kosovo. The NATO peace enforcement mission is still going strong there. The enforcement of peace there has been a success there.
During our patrols there we went to both Albanian and Serbian villages equally. Our reception was equally different though. Albanians greeted us with waves and Serbians with not the warmest of stares. The differences were always distinct between the both.
During an interview with a Serb, we asked "if he would cheer for an independent Kosovo soccer team?". His response to this question was textbook. " No of course not, because Kosovo is the heart of Kosovo. The spirit of the Serbs!". Now when I say we asked this question, I really mean some other guy in my squad.
The Serbs were always doing everything to keep themselves separate from Kosovo, to our frustration. Kosovo uses Euros and they want to use the Serbian money of Dinars. They ask for separate municipalities to deal with their basic services. The Serbian flag is always made sure to fly high and visible.
This constant want of separation because of nationalism is a big thorn in improving the situation in Kosovo. Kosovo is a beautiful land with great people, but its potential is being ruined by nationalism on not just the Serbian part but on the Albanians part too. Nationalism can be a great driving force to raise a group of people to their proper station in a society and or it can break that society apart.