Economic Development and Positioning of Ethnic Political Parties: Comparing Post-Communist Bulgaria and Romania

Résumé :

Stein Rokkan's theory is frequently used to explain how the economic development can influence the position of an ethnic party in the national political balance : it explains the political representation of minorities as a process of accommodation. An ethnic minority is supposed to stand up against the homogenising policy of national authorities. A specific party is then created which can negotiate with wider political forces supported by the main population. Such a collaboration prevents a conflict from degenerating into civil war. Does such a theory offer a good basis for comparing different countries? The answer is negative when one considers the situation of Bulgaria and Romania. To compare these two cases, one pay attention to a factor which is neglected by Rokkan, namely the respective economic situations of the “homeland” of the ethnic minority and the country it lives in. These situations direct the balance between inward-looking and outward-looking factions within the party which represent an ethnic minority. Hence, it makes the negotiations with the big governing parties more or less easy to manage.