Bankarsko-industrijski konzorcijum kao primer plutokratizacije srpske političke elite 1918–1944.

Abstract

The paper deals with one of the largest covered-up financial affairs in Serbia between the two world wars, that was carried out with participation and knowledge of the very top of the political establishment at that time. The aim of the article is to contribute to the previous efforts to empirically prove how large-scale corruption worked, that is, how the plutocratization had shaped the political elites in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. Through an analysis of the establishment and operation of banks and companies that were grouped into a large consortium called the Dragiša Matejić concern, the paper explains the mechanisms of hitherto uninvestigated financial malfeasance, cover-ups, and deliberate violations of the law by the highest state officials, as well as to what extent the principle of nepotism and cronyism prevailed in the business world.