The Romani Voice in World Politics: The United Nations and Non-State Actors / Edition 1

by Ilona Klímová-Alexander

Overview

Ilona Klímová-Alexander brings Europe's largest transnational and most marginalized ethnic minority, the Roma (Gypsies), into the discourse of international relations. The book describes and analyzes the attempts of the Romani activists to gain voice in world politics by interacting with the United Nations (UN) system and explores their capabilities and impact. This study has three objectives: it provides an introduction to global Romani activism in terms of its anatomy, history, political manifestos, goals and activities; it establishes the extent and essence of the Romani voice in world politics and its influence on the UN discourse on Roma; furthermore, it looks at how interacting with the UN system has affected the organizational structure of the global Romani activism and its discourse. Based largely on primary resources and fieldwork, this book will engage international relations scholars, political scientists and those concerned with social movements and ethnic and racial studies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780754641735
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	03/24/2005
Series:	Non-State Actors in Global Governance
Pages:	212
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Ilona Klímová-Alexander holds a PhD in International Relations from the University of Cambridge, UK, where she currently works at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences.

Table of Contents

Contents: Introduction. Setting The Scene: Introducing global Romani activism; Romani Issues at the UN. Interaction Between Romani Activists And The UN System: Using the formal access provided by the UN institutional structure; Interaction with the UN system using informal strategies; UN interventions and allies of Romani activists; Conclusion; Bibliography; Index.

Editorial Reviews

'Whether the Roma will succeed in breaching the defences that have been built into the UN Charter to protect the sovereignty of the territorial state remains to be seen. But anyone who wishes to understand their efforts to establish a non territorial right of self determination - and its wider implications for international society - will need to begin by consulting Ilona KlÃ-movà-Alexander's meticulously researched account of their campaign. In the very best sense this is the first draft of a new history.' James Mayall, University of Cambridge, UK 'This is a very well argued and fastidiously researched book on a topic that is important and timely. KlÃ-movà-Alexander goes into great length to explore the intricacies of Romani Self-Determination and her findings have important lessons for not only the Romani people but also for indigenous peoples and other territorially dispersed minorities.' Ephraim Nimni, University of New South Wales, Australia 'This is a well researched book on Romani activism at the international level...issues raised by KlÃ-movà of representation of indigenous peoples at the global level are pertinent...' USI Journal 'This book will be of interest to scholars of indigenous activism, international organizations and the growing influence of NGOs, and those interested in different possibilities for collective representation in world politics.' Political Studies Review '...an excellent contribution [to the series]...It provides masses of welcome and well cross-referenced detail about Romani activists and activism that will benefit scholars, policy makers, activists and others interested in, or seeking th achieve the basis of legitimate and lasting recognition for these social groups, either theoretically or in practice.' Ethnic and Racial Studies 'Seldom do we find a book which is theoretically well grounded, opens a new gateway of information about a less-known community, defends its social, cultural and political aspirations and

From the Publisher