ECMI Publications Database

Vol. 1: Minority Governance in Europe
Author:
Kinga Gál
ISBN:
978-9639419407
ISBN 10:
9639419400
Pages:
380
Release Date:
26-08-2003

Minority Governance in Europe is the first volume of ECMI's new Series on Ethnopolitics and Minority Issues. The book consists of three different types of studies: (1) general comparative surveys and descriptions of different types of self-governance; (2) case studies analysing existing autonomy models; (3) comparison of the different proposals for minority self-governments in Central and Eastern Europe.

While existing autonomy arrangements in Europe have been analyzed from several different perspectives in other works already, often from a theoretical perspective, Minority Governance in Europe in particular looks at the practical applications of autonomy. The studies address the following questions in particular:

  • What kind of minority self-governance can be regarded as successful in Europe?
  • What is the necessary or possible aim, and content, of autonomy in general?
  • What makes autonomy arrangements successful?
  • Could, and can, autonomy function as a conflict-solving mechanism?
  • What kind of political environments are conducive to autonomy arrangements?
  • What are the durability, and viability, aspects of autonomy solutions?

While emphasizing both the characteristics and the environment of 'successful' models, the book investigates the problems and shortcomings of those cases where the idea of minority self-government is still largely debated in the society. This applies especially where the concept of autonomy still poses a challenge to governments. Hence, the book considers especially the degree of national consensus in relation to autonomy solutions. It further stresses the importance of state resources for autonomy durability, analyses the role of international actors in the implementation of effective autonomies and explores the role of different autonomy-based approaches in ethnic conflict management.
The book originates in the ECMI project Minority Governance Concepts in Europe on the Threshold of the 21st Century.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface
Challenges for Minority Governance on the Threshold of the Twenty-first Century

Part I. Minority Governance Concepts in Europe: Theory and Practice
European Options of Autonomy: A Typology of Autonomy Models of Self-Governance
Minority Groups and Autonomy from an International Perspective
Geopolitical Aspects of the Minority Question in Central Europe
Minority Self-Governance: An Economic Perspective

Part II. Functioning Autonomies in Europe
Regional Autonomy in South Tyrol: The Case of the Autonomous Province of Bozen/ Bolzano
Autonomy and Conflict-Transformation: The Case of the Gagauz
Territorial Autonomy in the Republic of Moldova
An Experiment in Better Governance: Devolution in Scotland
The Sami Cultural Autonomies in the Nordic Countries
Systems of Minority Self-Government in Hungary

Part III. Self-Government: A Framework for Conflict Settlement?
Insular Autonomy: Recent Developments in Corsica
Concepts of Minority Self-Governance in Central Europe: Overview of the Proposals of the Hungarian Minorities
Chances of Autonomy in Vojvodina: Regional or Ethnic Autonomy?
The Rambouillet and the UNMIK Approach to Self-Government in Kosovo
Governing Post-War Bosnia

Part IV. Conclusion
Comparative Evaluation of the Cases Examined and Prospects for the Future
Models for Minority Governance and Participation: Power-Sharing and Territorial Autonomy

To order this book please send an email to LGIpublications@osi.hu

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