In Search of Multicultural Elements of the Croatian Minority Policy: Threatening Assimilation and Cultural Segregation
In Search of Multicultural Elements of the Croatian Minority Policy: Threatening Assimilation and Cultural Segregation

Author(s): Antonija Petričušić, Siniša Tatalović
Subject(s): Politics, Sociology, Inter-Ethnic Relations, Ethnic Minorities Studies, Politics and Identity
Published by: Институт друштвених наука
Keywords: national minorities; group-differentiated rights; Croatian minority policy; cultural autonomy of national minorities; participation of national minorities in public life
Summary/Abstract: This chapter examines multicultural elements of the Croatian minority policy, arguing that minority policy that acknowledges the postulates of multiculturalism should result in effective equality and integration of national minority members in the society and should not result in segregation and/or assimilation. The chapter furthermore assesses if minority rights laws and minority policy result not only in the preservation and protection of minority cultures, but also if they result in tolerance and acceptance of national minority members by the wider society. In doing so, this chapter critically examines six segments of the minority policy: (i) right to education of national minorities in minority languages and scripts, (ii) linguistic rights, (iii) media rights, (iv) political participation of national minorities in the parliament and in local and regional self-government units, (v) consultative role of national minority councils in decision making at the regional and local levels of governance, and (vi) representation of national minorities in the public sector.

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