Round Pegs in Square Holes: Integrating the Romani Community in Hungary

Abstract

This chapter assesses the impact of three integration components on Roma in Hungary: cultural; socio-economic and political. It argues that Hungary has initiated policies in all three integration components but each has fallen short of the mark in terms of addressing the specific needs and interests of Roma. State integration efforts are focused on the protection of national minorities whose interests are overwhelmingly cultural in nature such as linguistic and educational provisions, and the interests of Roma, which are primarily socio-economic and political in nature, are sidelined. However, through ethnic mobilization Roma have attempted to redress this unsatisfactory situation.