Krknjaši has become a case study of institutional collapse and disregard for the law!
We Have Resources – But We Lack Purpose, Strategy, and Institutions
Croatia is rich in heritage, landscape, talent and innovation but it is a nation without shared purpose and institutions to carry it forward.
We have the beautiful sea, the shining sun, open space, educated and talented people, access to EU funds, and a unique rich cultural heritage. But we lack institutions to carry it forward, a shared national vision, a clear direction and the will to make future-oriented decisions that my hurt in the short term, but lead us forward in the long run.
Two major proven frameworks explain why some countries succeed while others remain stuck.
Unfortunately, both place Croatia among those still spinning their wheels.
1. Ray Cline: Power Is Not About Resources — It’s About Purpose and Will
American political analyst Ray Cline developed a formula for calculating the “perceived power” of a nation:
Pp = (C + E + M) × (S + W)
Where:
C = Critical mass (population and territory)
E = Economic capacity
M = Military strength
S = Strategic purpose
W = Political will
👉 Without strategy and political will, even the largest resources do not result in real influence or long-term strength.
What does this mean for Croatia?
We have the resources.
– But we don’t have a strategic plan — or the will to implement one.
– We haven’t agreed on who we want to become as a country.
– We lack continuity, responsibility, and consistency in public decision-making.
2. Acemoglu & Robinson: No Progress Without Institutions
In their influential book “Why Nations Fail,” economists Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson argue that:
- Resources alone are not enough
- Education alone does not guarantee success
The true dividing line between successful and failing nations lies in:
✅ Inclusive political institutions
✅ Rule of law that protects property rights and enforces contracts
✅ Openness to innovation and change
✅ A system that rewards effort and initiative instead of punishing it
- When elites hoard power and block reform, societies stagnate.
- When laws don’t apply equally to all, trust erodes, apathy rises, and emigration increases.
🏝️ Krknjaši- Blue Lagoon – Drvenik Veli: A Symbol of What Happens Without Purpose or Institutions
Krknjaši Bay (Drvenik Veli) could have become a model for sustainable tourism.
Instead, it has become:
❌ a space of tolerated illegal construction, and the devastation of the natural coastline, seabed and posidonia meadows.
❌ a case study in ignoring the law
❌ a reflection of institutional breakdown
Public interest is not protected. Long-term planning is absent.
And Krknjaši is just one example — others can be found across islands, forests, the coastline, and even in public tenders.
Time for a Paradigm Shift
If we want to become a successful country, we must simultaneously:
✅ Define a national purpose – what do we want Croatia to be 20 years from now?
✅ Develop a long-term, implementable strategy – with clear accountability and responsibilities
✅ Build functional institutions – ones that don’t depend on the whims of individual politicians
✅ Ensure legal certainty and equality before the law – for everyone, not just the well-connected
Conclusion: Croatia Is Failing Because It Lacks Purpose, Vision, and Responsibility
Nations don’t fail because they’re poor.
They stay poor because they don’t build the institutions that enable growth.
Croatia is not failing because it has nothing.
It’s failing because it doesn’t know what it wants — or how to get there.
Ray Cline reminds us: Resources without purpose are powerless.
Acemoglu and Robinson add: Without institutions, even the noblest purpose will remain unrealized.
It’s time to choose our future — or continue watching our decline from the sidelines.
press kit – Građanska inicijativa za razvoj otoka Drvenika V
Zvizdač na djelu? – Inspekcija stiže – ponton nestaje! – Zirona.org
ZAŠTO HRVATSKA NE USPJEVA? – studija slučaja Krknjaši – Zirona.org
