Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Spring 2012

Abstract

More commonly known as “gypsies,” the Roma represent a subgroup of the “Romani” people, characterized by migrant lifestyles and transient living patterns. The Roma make up any where from 8 to 14 million people worldwide. History has shown that despite their presence around the world they are among one of most disadvantaged minorities around the world—on need only look at the Nazi regime in Germany to gain some insight as to their treatment over the course of history. While this marks the apex of discrimination against the Roma, they continue to face widespread prejudice. The Roma are treated unfavorably almost anywhere their presence is noted. This paper focuses on the treatment of this group in the countries of UK and Russia. These countries are able to provide an accurate representation of both Western and Eastern Europe in order to create the overall picture of European attitudes in general. Similarly, these countries have a variety of factors that show that they are on neither extreme in regards to attitudes towards the Roma. By analyzing public opinion polls in both countries this paper will attempt to isolate exactly who hold these negative attitudes. This paper anticipates that far-right radical, unemployed/economically disadvantaged, under-educated, older respondents are more likely to hold negative attitudes towards the Roma. By running the respondents answers through Logit and Stata this paper will achieve statically significant results pointing to a number of behavioral and/or cultural factors held by groups of people in hopes of illuminating the reasons for hateful attitudes. After a result is achieved, this paper will attempt to provide solutions as to how these attitudes can be broken, which can be but are not limited to: educational reforms, legislation reforms, higher degrees of representation of the Roma in various social, political, economic arenas.

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