Beyond Recognition and Redistribution: An Analysis of European Debates on Roma Representation and Participation

In this paper, we examine recent European engagements with the future of the Roma. Since the collapse of communism we have witnessed the ‘Europeanization’ of the Roma: they have increasingly been framed in terms of European identity, and they have become the subject of several Europe-wide programs meant to foster their integration. This Europeanization has diversified the Romani movement and revitalized Roma-related policies at various institutional levels. Yet, as many have suggested, the reality of Europe’s Roma is still dramatically bleak. In this context, we detect an increasing need to analyze what is meant by ‘Roma representation’ and ‘Roma participation’. Over the last years the EU has not only called upon member states to step up their efforts to improve the socio-economic conditions facing many Roma, it has also sought to secure the role of the Roma in these efforts. In this paper, we assess the dominant discourses underpinning or criticizing this trend. According to many critical narratives, EU policies have focused one-sidedly on either human and minority rights or social inclusion. The remedy frequently suggested is to balance these recognitive and redistributive dimensions while also increasing the dialogue with Roma in devising these policies. We argue that these are necessary but not sufficient pathways towards the development of more sustainable futures for Europe’s Roma. Using insights from theories of frame analysis and governmentality we develop a more fundamental notion of ‘representation’ to conceptualize and imagine more adequately how a sustainable future of the Roma in Europe may look like.