Nation-Building and Contested Identities: Romanian & Hungarian ...

Nationalizing Minorities and Homeland Politics9Brubaker, Nationalism Reframed, p. 60.10 Brubaker, “Myths and Misconceptions in the Study of Nationalism,” p. 277.11 See Walker Connor, “When is a Nation?” in Ethnonationalism: The Quest forUnderstanding (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1994), pp. 210-226.12 Miroslav Hroch, “Real and Constructed: The Nature of the Nation,” in Hall,ed., The State of the Nation, p. 98.13 Michael Mann, “Nation-States in Europe and Other Continents: Diversifying,Developing, Not Dying,” Daedalus 122 (1993), pp. 115-140. See also MichaelMann, “Has Globalization Ended the Rise and Rise of the Nation-State?”Review of International Political Economy 4 (1997), pp. 472-496.14 The HDUR defines itself as “the community of the autonomous territorial,political, social and cultural organizations of Hungarians in Romania.” Itsmain objective is “to protect the interests and rights for the Hungarian minority.”15 In contrast to many opinions, this does not imply territorial separation. Especiallyafter 1945, the Hungarian minority in Romania accepted the state ofaffairs and searched for solutions within the framework of the Romanian state.16 Aurelian Crãiuþu, “Dilemma of Dual Identity: The Democratic Alliance ofHungarians in Romania,” Eastern European Constitutional Review (Spring1995), p. 43.17 The actual translation would be “Council of the Representatives.”18 By internal opposition I designate the so-called Reform Tömörülés (ReformGroup), that pleads for an “internal democratization” of the HDUR and advocatesa more radical policy towards the Romanian state.19 Törvény a szomszédos országokban élõ magyarokról (Act on the Hungarians livingin neighboring countries).20 Constitution of the Republic of Hungary. Article 6(3): “The Republic of Hungaryacknowledges its responsibility for the fate of Hungarians living outside ofits borders and shall promote the fostering of their links with Hungary.” See AMagyar Köztársaság Alkotmánya (Constitution of the Republic of Hungary)(Budapest: Korona, 1998), p. 14.21 Határon Túli Magyarok Hivatala (Government Office for Hungarian MinoritiesAbroad – GOHMA). The Hungarian government also allocated importantsums to several foundations that distributed the resources: Illyés Foundation,Segítõ Jobb Foundation, (Új)Kézfogás Foundation, Apáczai Foundation, etc.22 Several studies show that only a minor part of those who studied in Hungaryreturned or intend to return to their home countries.23 The government was formed in 1990 by the coalition led by the MagyarDemokrata Fórum (Hungarian Democratic Forum), with József Antall asPrime Minister.24 The government was formed in 1998 by the coalition led by the FIDESZ(Alliance of Young Democrats), with Viktor Orbán as Prime Minister.25 The government was formed in 1994 by the coalition led by the Magyar SzocialistaPárt (Hungarian Socialist Party), with Gyula Horn as Prime Minister.26 Slovakia and Slovenia will probably join the EU almost simultaneously withHungary. Even if not, the citizens of these countries will not need a visa to travelto the EU states. It is also probable that the visa requirement for Romaniancitizens will be waived.271