In 301, the imperial Diooclecian made a bold, but eventually a failed endeavor to deal with an inflation that was wild in the eastern half of the divided Roman Empire.
The prices of everything, from purple threads and feathers to slaves and livestock, dictated his edict at maximum prices. Abusers faced with a mortal punishment. Diocletian gave up the authorities for about four years after betraying his edict, watching his measure fails from his retirement palace in the heart of what became the city of Split in Croatia.
Now the Croatian government is trying to tactics similar to accelerate prices that have increased in recent years and encouraged protests and retail boycotts by relaxed consumers in the country.
On February 7, the Government introduced prices for traders, aiming for supermarket items such as bread, pork and shampoo. The penalties are less drastic than those ordered by Diocletian, and a fine of up to 30,000 euros, or $ 31,400, for traders who violate the rules.
It is unclear whether the new edict will be more successful than Diocletian, of which economists say it was in the end counter -productive causing a shortage, stimulating the black market and allowing profiteers.
For now, consumers are still thinking of moving on a new system, which increases the price of 70 usual food stores products.
In Split, whose narrow limestone streets and alleyways attract tourists from around the world, Anita Kargotic (62), recently went shopping at Spar Supermarket, where two characters are set out of the list of maximum prices that are enabled for a series of goods.
She tied her dog, an American Akita by the name of Maja, to post outside, and later came out of the supermarket, with pulling out Kaiser Rolls, popcorn popcorn, soybeans and crackers. Most were generic trade brands, but cheaper than distinctive stickers.
Mrs. Kargotic said her money did not go so far, and care for herself and Maya became an upset priority exercise.
Color of flea and dry dog food? These are supplies. Grapes? No, too expensive.
Staples like rice and pasta? Pass. “These prices have become completely unreasonable,” she said, adding that she did not think that new controls would change a lot because she mostly buys everything that is the cheapest.
“I always look at lower prices, paying attention to sales,” she said.
Croatia, which joined the European Union in 2013, should deal with a successful recovery after a pandemic. The economy is growing on average 6.6 percent in the last four years, Tourism flourished and wages are constantly increasing. But it also helped in the movement priceswith inflation in January 5 percent after stubbornly remained above 3 percent during 2024.
The rules that came into force this month are the third attempt at the Croatian Government to control prices by FIAT since September 2022. The first two efforts were largely ineffective, and merchants simply refused the supplies of most goods under the control of prices.
The Government says this time is serious, with the law that requires that the products that control the price are available and promised regular inspections and fines for the abusers.
According to the new rules adopted by Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, he enters the store must display a list of all 70 items that fall under the Government Price Regime.
A century ago, Diocletan’s Edict accused some citizens of collecting prices and said their greed should be built.
In January, Mr. Plenkovic hit a similar tone when introducing measures of his government.
“We support companies that work well and make profits, but within real frames. That can’t be at the expense of a little guy, “he said at a stormy meeting with merchants in January.
Rudolf Nardelli, 80, another recent buyer to Spar to Split, said he moved to Haarlem, in the Netherlands, five decades ago and recalls that he often left Split with a trunk of his car full of stock.
“Now prices are lower in the Netherlands,” said Mr. Nardelli, who still shares his time between Haarlem and Split, as he seduced the food on his bike. “Merchants here have prices for no reason.”
Economists are guilty of increasing the three -headed hydra in economic rescue packages in a pandemic era that overwhelmed the Earth with cash, increased wages in the public sector and traders rounding out prices after Croatia adopted the euro in 2023.
Those with firmer calculations are facing unexpected victims.
Leonardo Inacio, 28, was bought at Spar for Protein, mostly chicken, to help him in physical recovery from his job as a ballet dancer.
He said that the monthly budget of the 350 euros was sufficient when he moved from Brazil two years ago. That figure jumped to 450 euros, he said.
“I go through supplements,” Mr. Inacio said of the victims he did to put an end to the end. “I’d rather spend that money on something that helps me professionally, but I can’t.”
He said he participated in boycotts against merchants, but he knew nothing about the Government’s prices. He looked at a list of recorded items outside the supermarket.
“That might actually be useful,” he said, taking pictures of the list of the list with his phone.
But many say the price control is not an answer.
John H. Cochrane, economist and associate at the Hoover InstituteThe research center, pointed to the role of Diocletan’s Edict played in the cause of the lack and encouragement of the black market.
“It’s like an attempt to stop symptoms, not treatment of underlying illness,” Mr. Cochrane said about price control. “It offers people the look of help for a while, and then it takes a few weeks or a month or two, for all problems to break out.”
