Quantifying the Unquantifiable: Defining Roma Populations in Quantitative Surveys

Ivanov, Andrey (2012) Quantifying the Unquantifiable: Defining Roma Populations in Quantitative Surveys. Nasselenie Review, 3 (4).

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Abstract

The article explores the challenges and possible approaches to quantication of Roma communities – both for the purpose of sampling surveys and for the needs of operational policy-making. The starting point of the analysis isan overview of the history of Roma presence in Europe, which provides the argument for the idea of the multiple and uid nature of Roma identity. Against this backgroundthe specic challenges related to developing a ‘single and precise’ denition of “the Roma” are analysed. Those challenges are stemming from the patterns of coexistence with the (equally vague and uid) Gadze universe and the patterns of socialisation during modernity. Many of those elements still remain valid today.“Roma” is not just a meta-group, but a complex construct and its meaningdiffers depending on the interpretative frameworks of the different sides involved in the debate on the issue. Roma identity is also quite situational and reective dened vis-à-vis the non-Roma (the Gadzo). Seen in historical perspective, this pattern of identication is not just the result of centuries of discrimination and prejudice against the Roma. The discrimination and prejudice themselves were an inevitable outcometo the process of modernisation, in which the way of living of Roma was increasingly in conict with the emerging disciplining structures of sedentary societies and withthe existing non-Roma hierarchies, both cleric and secular. The process intensied with the consolidation of nation-states in the 19 th and 20 th century. In the context of today’s post-modern society, the non-Roma populations are facing challenges similar to those faced for centuries by Roma. This is the challenge of how the existing (in most cases – modern) institutional frameworks can reect and absorb the multiple identities of the post-modern citizens. Seen from this perspective, Roma inclusion could provide valuable insights. As for the issue of quantication, rigid denition or exact “counting” of Roma isnot necessary for achieving real progress in Roma inclusion. Methods reecting the uid nature of the term “Roma” and corresponding to the policy priorities leadingthe process of data collection should be used instead. The author provides a specic example of such methods from the area of quantitative sampling surveys.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Europe, Slovakia, Quantitative Methods, Roma and Sinti in Europe, Marginalized Populations, Roma Inclusion, Religion
Subjects:	B Mission Theology/Theory > Contextualization/Inculturation B Mission Theology/Theory > Identity Issues B Mission Theology/Theory > Research Methodology B Mission Theology/Theory > Anti-Gypsyism G Christian Traditions/ Denominations F Interreligious Dialogue and Witness > Islam H Social Sciences and Roma Christianity > Anthropology
Divisions:	Slovakia
Depositing User:	Jelena Bakic
Date Deposited:	27 Jun 2022 15:11
Last Modified:	27 Jun 2022 15:11
URI:	https://rocprints.rockcentre.org/id/eprint/572

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