Legitimation Through Paranoia: How Assassination Narratives Shape Contemporary Political History in Vučić’s Serbia

This paper explores the role of political paranoia in governance strategies, using Serbia under President Aleksandar Vučić as a case study. Following the concept od Richard Hofstadter – paranoid style in politics – the article examines how alleged assassination attempts on Vučić – despite a lack of evidence – have been deployed as a tool to justify increased state control, discredit opposition forces, and consolidate power. By analyzing media reports, political speeches, and historical precedents, this study situates Vučić’s tactics within a broader historical trend of leaders who manipulate crisis nar ratives to maintain authority. The paper also traces how similar strategies were employed in various historical contexts, including the McCarthy era in the United States, the Soviet purges, and conspiracy--laden political cultures in post-communist Eastern Europe. It argues that Vučić’s use of assassination narratives reflects a deliberate political strategy designed to reinforce a siege mentality among his supporters and present himself as Serbia’s indispensable leader.