Romani Politics in Contemporary Europe: Poverty, Ethnic Mobilization, and the Neoliberal Order

Panel discussion on the new book:

Romani Politics in Contemporary Europe: Poverty, Ethnic Mobilization, and the Neoliberal Order

(edited by N. Sigona and N. Trehan)

Contributing speakers include:

Viktoria Mohacsi, Angela Kocze, Iulius Rostas, Andrew Ryder, Nidhi Trehan, with Prem Kumar Rajaram and Don Kalb as discussants. Marton Rovid will moderate the Q&A discussion.

Europe in the last two decades has gone through unprecedented political, social, and economic transformations. The restructuring of post-WWII welfare systems, the disintegration of Yugoslavia through a series of fratricidal wars, the rise of racist and nationalist movements, and the enlargement of NATO and of the EU to include former socialist countries after the end of the Cold War characterize this period. The new geopolitical order has affirmed a neo-liberal economic doctrine throughout Europe. A by-product of this phenomenon has been increasing marginalization of groups which do not 'fit' the new socio-economic regime. Amongst them are millions of Roma, for whom chronic unemployment and social exclusion have become the norm. As a response to their increasing social marginalization, human and minority rights discourses and regimes have emerged, consolidating alongside an embryonic Romani political movement.

The book covers experiences of political participation of Romani citizens in both Eastern and Western Europe, thus contributing to a deeper understanding of the political space that Roma occupy in states within an enlarged EU.

The panel discussion will be followed by a Q&A and refreshments will be served afterwards. More information about the book.