Legal Recognition and Ethnic Identity
The 2005 Act on National and Ethnic Minorities and Regional Language
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 17802417 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Katarzyna Warmińska-Zygmunt (corresponding author) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Issue | 1(101) |
| Pages | 201-217 |
| Publication date | 2026-03-28 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Politeja (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1733-6716 • E-ISSN: 2391-6737 |
| Publisher | Księgarna Akademicka (PUBLISHER • PL) |
| DOI | 10.12797/politeja.23.2026.101.09 |
| OpenAlex | W7141793123 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 20 |
This article explores ethnic relations in Poland, with a particular focus on the role of legal frameworks in shaping the status and rights of ethnic and national minorities since the fall of communism in 1989. It traces the historical context of restrictive state policies under communism and the subsequent transition to more inclusive legislation, culminating in the 2005 Act on National and Ethnic Minorities and Regional Language. The study highlights how this act, by formally recognizing certain minority groups, influences cultural preservation, identity formation, and intergroup dynamics within Polish society. Additionally, it examines the limitations imposed by the rigid legal categories and exclusionary criteria that affect new or unrecognized communities. Through this lens, the article illustrates how state policies and legal recognition impact the interactions between minority and majority groups, reflecting broader socio-cultural and political dynamics in contemporary Poland. The analysis underscores the complex interplay between formal regulations, state power, and ethnic identity, demonstrating both the potential for empowerment and the constraints embedded in institutional frameworks
Communism · Empowerment · Ethnic group · Politics · Minority Rights and Languages · Philippine History and Culture · Romani and Gypsy Studies
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |