The federal system of the former Yugoslavia was designed by the communists. Although it underwent numerous transformations, it was still the subject of significant debate. If at the outset it was fundamentally inspired by ethnic principles and was of a Soviet nature, it can be asked whether this ethnic dimension was its only one mythology, and if not, what else it might have been based on. Yugoslav federalism was never democratic and lacked legitimacy. Although the communist dictatorship appeared to be able to resolve ethnic tensions, it was never able to provide a legitimate, lasting solution for them.