‘Forgotten Europeans’: transnational minority activism in the age of European integration

Smith, D. , Germane, M. and Housden, M. (2019) ‘Forgotten Europeans’: transnational minority activism in the age of European integration. Nations and Nationalism, 25(2), pp. 523-543. (doi: 10.1111/nana.12401)

Abstract

This article examines transnational activism by coalitions of national minorities in Europe from the early 20th century to the present, setting this within the broader ‘security versus democracy dilemma’ that continues to surround international discussions on minority rights. Specifically, we analyse two organisations – the European Nationalities Congress (1925–1938) and the Federal Union of European Nationalities (1949–) – which, while linked, have never been subject to a detailed comparison based on primary sources. In so far as comparisons do exist, they present these bodies in highly negative terms, as mere fronts for inherently particularistic nationalisms that threaten political stability, state integrity and peace. Our more in-depth analysis provides a fresh and more nuanced perspective: it shows that, in both cases, concepts of European integration and ‘unity in diversity’ have provided the motivating goals and frameworks for transnational movements advocating common rights for all minorities and seeking positive interaction with the interstate world.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Germane, Dr Marina and Smith, Professor David
• Authors: Smith, D., Germane, M., and Housden, M.
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > History; College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Central and East European Studies
• Journal Name: Nations and Nationalism
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISSN: 1354-5078
• ISSN (Online): 1469-8129
• Published Online: 15 February 2018
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2018 ASEN/John Wiley and Sons Ltd
• First Published: First published in Nations and Nationalism
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
63246	1	National Minority Rights & Democratic Political Community: Practices of Non-territorial Cultural Autonomy in Contemporary Central and Easter Europe	David Smith	Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)	ES/L007126/1	SPS - CENTRAL & EAST EUROPEAN STUDIES