The Politics of Unbelonging - (European Politics) by Andreja Zevnik & Andrew Russell (Hardcover)

About the Book

The book offers a study of Roma racialisation. Through the idea of unbelonging it demonstrates how the community is placed in a position of visceral visibility by local, national and international institutions and media discourses. It critically evaluates how the unbelonged position impacts Roma's self-representation and political mobilisation.

Book Synopsis

This book offers a comprehensive study of racialisation of Romani communities in Europe (and beyond). Drawing on the idea of unbelonging it demonstrates how Romani communities are placed in a position of visceral visibility by local, national and international institutions as well as public media discourses. It shows how such positionality impacts the ability of Roma to self-represent politically and build capacity for change. From the position of unbelonging the book offers an account of Romani agency which both challenges the mainstream representations of Roma but also develops an alternative none-nation-state sense of belonging. In doing so the book outlines an account of Romani alternative expressions in order to take control of their relationship with their own history, future, knowledge, and identity, and the rest of the society.

From the Back Cover

'The politics of Unbelonging is a very timely and necessary intervention in the study of race, ethnicity, and notions of belonging to the state. This rigorous and captivating book captures how racialisation of Roma serves to reinforce ideas of unbelonging, helping us to understand how processes of exclusion work.'
Aidan McGarry, Loughborough University
This book draws on the notions of racialisation and marginalisation to critically examine the continued political, social and economic exclusion of Roma in Europe and beyond. It combines sharp theoretical insights with a forensic investigation into the ways in which Roma - the largest and the most socio-economically deprived minority group in Europe - are forced into a special category: unbelonging. Unbelonging explains continued marginalisation and exclusion in regional, national and international contexts.

Zevnik and Russell provide an insight into how Roma are made to unbelong in the institutions, civil society and media representations across the EU institutions and its Member States. The book draws out how Roma agency becomes visible in campaigns for recognition of a Roma nation at the international level. Similarly, it acknowledges the significance of building coalitions with other marginalised groups and political projects to achieve political recognition and strengthen Roma's political purchase.

Review Quotes

'The Politics of Unbelonging is a very timely and necessary intervention in the study of race, ethnicity, and notions of belonging to the state. This rigorous and captivating book captures how racialisation of Roma serves to reinforce ideas of unbelonging, helping us to understand how processes of exclusion work.'
Professor Aidan McGarry, Loughborough University

About the Author

Andreja Zevnik is a Senior Lecturer in International Politics at the University of Manchester
Andrew Russell is a Professor of Politics at the University of Liverpool