The Hungarian Identity Discourse in Post-Communist Romania

• Main Authors: Monica Andriescu, Sergiu Gherghina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Facultatea de Stiinte Politice, SNSPA 2012-10-01
• Series: Sfera Politicii
• Subjects: identity politics; minorities; discourse; mobilization; Romania
• Online Access: http://www.sferapoliticii.ro/sfera/171/art10-Andriescu_Gherghina.php

This article explores the political aspects of national minority identity by analyzing the discourse of the political representative of the Hungarian minority in post-communist Romania (the Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania). Political discourse (party programs, parliamentary debates) and document analysis are used to illustrate two levels of discourse: symbolic and substantive. The article shows that elite discourse has shaped the political role and claims of the Hungarian minority, which influenced the minority nation-building process, as well as the content of the diversity accommodation framework in post-communist Romania.