Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Romani Politics in Contemporary Europe pp 72–93Cite as

Palgrave Macmillan

Beyond Boundaries? Comparing the Construction of the Political Categories ‘Gypsies’ and ‘Roma’ Before and After EU Enlargement

  • Chapter

Abstract

The situation of Roma in Europe is the subject of prominent discussions within the institutions of the European Union today proving those voices that expected the ‘Roma issue’ to fade away from the political agenda after EU enlargement wrong. Since the EU enlargement to include Central and Eastern European states, the European Parliament (EP) passes resolutions every year calling upon the European Commission and the Member States to improve the situation of Roma (EP 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008).

What is familiarly known is not properly known, just for the reason that it is ‘familiar’.

(Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel)

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

Secondary Literature

  • Atanasoski, N. (2006) ‘“Race” Toward Freedom: Post-Cold War US Multiculturalism and the Reconstruction of Eastern Europe’, The Journal of American Culture, 29(2): 213–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baldauf, M. (2000) ‘Lustig ist das Zigeunerleben … ?’, Zur Konstruktion des stereotypen ‘Zigeunerbildes’ in der österreichischen Wissenschaft vom 18. bis ins 20. Jahrhundert, Graz: Diss.

    Google Scholar 

  • Braham, M. and Braham, M. (2000) ‘Romani Migrations and EU Enlargement’, Cambridge Review of International Affairs, 13(2): 97–116.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brubaker, R. (1996) Nationalism Reframed: Nationhood and the national question in the New Europe, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Brubaker, R. (1998) ‘Myths and Misconceptions in the Study of Nationalism’, in Hall, J. (ed.) The State of the Nation: Ernest Gellner and the Theory of Nationalism, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Connolly, W. E. (1974) The Terms of Political Discourse, Oxford: Blackwell (2nd ed. 1983).

    Google Scholar 

  • Delaney P. (2001) ‘Representations of the Travellers in the 1880s and 1900s’, Irish Studies Review, 9(1): 53–68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deleuze, G. and Guattari, F. (1980, Engl. 1987) A Thousand Plateaus: Capitalism and Schizophrenia, Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Diamantopoulou, A. (2003) ‘World Bank Roma conference’, Budapest, 30 June 2003. Accessible at: http://info.worldbank.org/etools/docs/library/32321/Diamantopoulou.pdf

    Google Scholar 

  • Diez, Th. (2001) ‘Europe as a Discursive Battleground: Discourse Analysis and European Integration Studies’, Cooperation and Conflict, 36(1): 5–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Foucault, M. (1969, Engl. 1972) The Archaeology of Knowledge, London, New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gotsbachner, E. (2001) ‘Xenophobic normality: the discriminatory impact of habitualized discourse dynamics’, Discourse & Society, 12(6): 729–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guglielmo, R. and Waters, T.W. (2005) ‘Migrating Towards Minority Status: Shifting European Policy Towards Roma’, Journal of Common Market Studies, 43(4): 763–86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kovats, M. (2001) ‘Problems of Intellectual and Political Accountability in Respect of Emerging European Roma Policy’, Journal on Ethnopolitics and Minority Issues in Europe, November 2001.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liebich, A. (2007) ‘Roma Nation? Competing Narratives of Nationhood’, Nationalism and Ethnic Politics, 13(4): 539–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maciejewski, F. (1996) ‘Elemente des Antiziganismus’, in Giere, J. (ed.) Die gesellschaftliche Konstruktion des Zigeuners. Zur Genese eines Vorurteils, Frankfurt, New York: Campus Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Österreichischer Rundfunk (2008) 10. Jahrestag des Roma-Attentates. Available at: http://volksgruppen.orf.at/kroatenungarn/aktuell/stories/25591.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parliament, The (2008) EU Roma resolution attacked over education and crime link. Available at: http://www.theparliament.com/latestnews/news-article/newsarticle/eu-roma-resolution-attacked-over-education-and-crime-link/.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reisigl, M. and Wodak, R. (eds) (2000) The Semiotics of Racism: Approaches in Critical Discourse Analysis, Vienna: Passagen.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rorty R. (1989) Contingency, Irony, and Solidarity, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Shapiro, M. J. (1988) The Politics of Representation, Madison: University of Wisconsin Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sigona, N. (2003) ‘How can a “nomad” be a “refugee”? Kosovo Roma and Labelling Policy in Italy’, Sociology, 37(1): 69–79.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simhandl, K. (2006) ‘“Western Gypsies and Travellers” — “Eastern Roma”: The Creation of Political Objects by the Institutions of the European Union’, Nations and Nationalism, 12(1): 97–115.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simhandl, K. (2007) Der Diskurs der EU-Institutionen über die Kategorien ‘Zigeuner’ und ‘Roma’: Die Erschließung eines politischen Raumes über die Konzepte von, Antidiskriminierung’ und, sozialem Einschluss’, Baden-Baden: Nomos.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Torfing, J. (1999) New theories of discourse: Laclau, Mouffe, and Žižek, Oxford, UK, Maiden, Mass.: Blackwell Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Willems, W. (1996) ‘Aussenbilder von Sinti und Roma in der frühen Zigeunerforschung’, in Giere J. (ed.) Die gesellschaftliche Konstruktion des Zigeuners. Zur Genese eines Vorurteils, Frankfurt, New York: Campus Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Willems, W. (1998) ‘Ethnicity as a Death-Trap: The History of Gypsy Studies’ in Lucassen, L. et al. (ed.) Gypsies and other Itinerant Groups: A socio-historical approach, Hampshire, New York: Palgrave.

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, G. (1999) Trench Discourse Analysis. The Method of Post-Structuralism, London, New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wodak, R. and van Dijk, T. A. (2000) Racism at the Top: Parliamentary Discourses on Ethnic Issues in Six European States, Klagenfurt: Drava.

    Google Scholar 

Documents

  • Angelilli, R. (MEP), on behalf of the UEN Group (2008) Amendment 9 to the Joint Motion for a Resolution by the PPE-DE, PSE, ALDE, Vets/ALE and GUE/ NGL Groups, European Strategy on the Roma. 31 January 2008.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beazley, C. (MEP) (2008) Statement in the Debate on ‘A European Strategy on the Roma’, CRE 16/01/2008 — 14. 16 January 2008.

    Google Scholar 

  • Desmond, B. (MEP) (1991) ‘Question no. 63: fire hazards for caravan dwellers’, Debates of the European Parliament, 4–405/213, 15 May 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  • Diamantopoulou, A. (2003) ‘Nothing for the Roma without the Roma’, address at the World Bank Roma Conference, Budapest, 30 June 2003.

    Google Scholar 

  • ESC Delegation to the EU-Bulgaria Joint Consultative Committee (2002) Social Policy Issues in Bulgaria Against the Background of Accession: The Partial Closure of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant and the Minority (Roma) Issue, working document prepared for the Seventh Meeting of the EU-Bulgaria Joint Consultative Committee, DI 39/2002 fin.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Commission (1998) Regular Report on Czech Republic’s Progress towards Accession. COM(98)0708-C4–0111/99.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Commission (1999) Communication from the Commission: Countering Racism, Xenophobia and Anti-Semitism in the Candidate Countries, COM (1999) 256, 26 May 1999.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Commission (2001) 2001 Regular Report on the Czech Republic’s Progress towards Accession, SEC(2001) 1746.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Commission (2003) European Union Support for Roma Communities in Central and Eastern Europe. Brussels: Enlargement Information Unit.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Commission (2008) Commission Staff Working Document accompanying the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunities: A Renewed Commitment: Community Instruments and Policies for Roma Inclusion, SEC(2008) 2172.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Commission and Government of Hungary (2003) Joint Memorandum on Social Inclusion of Hungary. Brussels, 18 December 2003.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Council (2007) Presidency Conclusions — Brussels European Council 14 December 2007.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC) (2006a) The Annual Report on the Situation Regarding Racism and Xenophobia in the Member States of the EU.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC) (2006b) Roma and Travellers in Public Education: An Overview of the Situation in the EU Member States. 16616/1/07.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Parliament (1984) ‘Education for children whose parents have no fixed abode’ Report drawn up on behalf of the Committee on Youth, Culture, Education, Information and Sport, Working Documents, 1–1522/83, PE 87.789/fin., 12 March 1984.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Parliament (2005) ‘Resolution on the situation of the Roma in the European Union’, OJ C 45 E, 23 February 2006: 129–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Parliament (2006) ‘Resolution on the situation of Roma women in the European Union’, OJ C 298 E, 8 December 2006: 283–87.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Parliament (2007) Resolution on Application of Directive 2004/38/EC on the Right of EU Citizens and Their Family Members to Move and Reside Freely within the Territory of the Member States, P6_TA-PROV(2007)0534, 15 November 2007.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Parliament (2008) Resolution on a European Strategy on the Roma, P6_TA-PROV(2008)0035, 31 January 2008.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) (2007) Report on Racism and Xenophobia in the Member States of the EU.

    Google Scholar 

  • High Level Advisory Group of Experts (2007) Ethnic Minorities in the Labour Market — An Urgent Call for Better Social Inclusion. Brussels: European Commision.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoff, M., Viehoff, Ph. and Malangré, K. (1982) ‘Motion for a resolution: education problems of circus and fair children’, Working Documents 1–1522/83, PE 87.789/fin., 12 March 1984: Annex II.

    Google Scholar 

  • Járóka, L. (2004) ‘I owe it to my people — Interview with Stephen Moss’, The Guardian, 15 December 2004.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kavanagh, L. (MEP) (1975) ‘Written question 126/75 to the Commission: community policy on travelling people (Gypsies)’, OJ C 192, 2 August 1975: 17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kavanagh, L. (MEP) (1978) ‘Written question 1350/77 to the Commission: Gypsies in the community’, OJ C 157, 3 March 1978: 10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liégeois, J.-P. (1987) School Provision for Gypsy and Traveller Children: A Synthesis Report, Brussels, Luxembourg: Commission of the European Communities.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mohácsi, V. (MEP) (2008) ‘European strategy for Roma: the EU must tackle this issue urgently’, Press release, 31 January 2008.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Connell, M. (MEP) (1980) ‘Written question 1566/79 to the Commission: itinerants’, OJ C 126, 27 May 1980: 64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Post, R. (European Commission, DG Enlargement) (2004) Interview conducted on 19 April 2004 in Brussels.

    Google Scholar 

  • Speroni, F. E. (MEP) (2000) Statement in the Debate on ‘Human Rights, Racism, Xenophobia and Anti-Semitism’, 15 March 2000.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Katrin Simhandl
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Refugee Studies Centre, University of Oxford, UK

    Nando Sigona (researcher) (researcher)

  2. University College London’s School of Public Policy and Political Science, UK

    Nidhi Trehan (ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council) research fellow) (ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council) research fellow)

Copyright information

© 2009 Katrin Simhandl

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Simhandl, K. (2009). Beyond Boundaries? Comparing the Construction of the Political Categories ‘Gypsies’ and ‘Roma’ Before and After EU Enlargement. In: Sigona, N., Trehan, N. (eds) Romani Politics in Contemporary Europe. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230281165_4

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation