The Romani voice in world politics. The United Nations and non-state actors

Abstract:

The root of this work lies in the answer to the question - ‘What is the basis for collective representation in world politics?’ Currently it is ‘the state’ and statehood is defined in terms of territory, and it was ever thus. But what of those peoples which might constitute a nation but not be in possession of territory, for example the Romani peoples? This book looks at the efforts over three decades to obtain representation for the Roma through the United Nations.

The book is organised in two parts. The first part presents the background and history to the struggle, opening with a chapter dealing with the history and anatomy of global Romani activism which covers the players involved, their political manifestos and ideological orientations, and goals and strategies. The next chapter offers an overview of the development of UN interest and involvement in Romani issues.

Part two contains the main empirical and analytical contribution to the study. Chapter four concentrates upon the formal access offered by the UN to non-state actors. Chapter five examines informal strategies that were facilitated by the attitude of the UN towards non-state actors. The sixth chapter explores the UN configuration of power as relating to the activists’ allies and those UN and UN-related bodies showing significant interest in Romani issues. Chapter seven draws on the earlier chapters to construct conclusions, and plants some signposts as to the way ahead.

The work will interest scholars, students, researchers and policy-makers engaged in international relations, political sciences, social movements and ethnic and racial studies.