The administrative interpretation of ethnic diversity
The ethnic diversity of states presents different geopolitical issues to consider. This paper examines the spatialisation of ethnic and national administrative entities. Centralized governments usually do not permit the creation of such ethnic territories. Furthermore, completely homogeneous ethnic territories are quite rare. In spite of these difficulties, many states are faced with the possible existence of ethnically-based entities and the problems which accompany them. This paper examines three European cases: the Hungarian autonomous region in socialist Romania (1953-1968), the Tatar Republic in Russia and the Basque Country in Spain and France. From these examples, we can outline the complex problems faced by homogenous ethnic entities and underline the fact that all administrative divisions, especially as related to ethnic groups, have to be interpreted according to the logic of the relationship between a center and a periphery.