Az erdélyi német kérdés és Jakabffy
Jakabffy’s Analysis and the German Minority’s Fate in Romania

Summary/Abstract: From the perspective of 20th century minorities it is crucial to answer the question whether or not it is possible to have good minority policies? While this naturally means human rights and democracy, its best indicators are still the demographic development and the ‘health’ of the minority. In this context it is necessary to examine the minority policy of a specific country. The paper examines Elemér Jakabffy’s study concerning the Transylvanian Swabian Germans. It raises the question: Why the German and Hungarian minorities not capable of political cooperation, when both faced the same threat of assimilation? The study investigates the role of the leaders in the German communities and their responsibilities. After many centuries of German history in Transylvania, and their key role in the modernization of the region, why is the role of Germans – both Swabians and Saxons – currently reduced to a symbolic presence in Romania? The paper contends that it is a reflection of the failure of the German elite to correctly confront the historical challenges of the 20th century.

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