Relación entre lo local y lo central desde una perspectiva étnica: un estudio sobre la comunidad húngara en Rumanía

Abstract

The article discusses the issue of ethnic autonomy as part of the ongoing negotiations between majority and minority political elites in the post-socialist countries from the region, especially in Romania where the author comes from. The topic of ethnic autonomy is analysed in connection with the problems pose by the transformation of the highly centralised socialist state. The main two actors of the political game are the majority elites representing the interests of the centre and the minority leaders who aim to increase the power at the local level. The elite negotiations and modalities of keeping each other in check lead to an incremental devolution of political power, which proves to be a laborious endeavour in a social environment haunted by majority and minority nationalisms.