Abstract

Abstract Antigypsyism has been frequently said to be a racist ideology. However, although some studies have engaged with the ‘racist’ component of the thesis, almost no work has been done in terms of specifying what ideology is and how a certain conception of it can enhance the understanding of antigypsyism both as a concept and empirical phenomenon. This paper explores the potential of the Lacanian theory of ideology as exemplified by Slavoj Žižek for developing antigypsyism research. Overcoming the problem of false consciousness, Žižek’s conception offers an analytical framework that allows re-examining and elaborating on certain issues from the perspective which weaves social and psychic realities without falling into the traps of psychological reductionism. To illustrate this, this paper presents a Žižekian analysis of three issues that correspond to different aspects of the antigypsyist phenomenon identified via ethnographic research among the non-Roma inhabitants of a declining neighbourhood with a significant Roma presence in Czechia. The issues are called envy, corruption and ‘hard racism’.

Highlights

  • Is paper follows on the debate on the conceptualization of antigypsyism1 in the study of Roma marginalization, segregation, and persecution (Agarin, 2014; Cortés Gómez, End, 2019; Kyuchukov, 2012; McGarry, 2017; Selling, End, Kyuchukov, Laskar, Templer, 2015)

  • This article explores the potential of the Lacanian theory of ideology as exemplified by Slavoj Žižek for developing antigypsyism research

  • To illustrate how the Lacanian theory of ideology can be used to enhance the understanding of antigypsyism both as a concept and empirical phenomenon, three issues are analysed in this paper

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Summary

VÁCLAV WALACH

Antigypsyism has been frequently said to be a racist ideology. Some studies have engaged with the ‘racist’ component of the thesis, almost no work has been done in terms of specifying what ideology is and how a certain conception of it can enhance the understanding of antigypsyism both as a concept and empirical phenomenon. Is paper explores the potential of the Lacanian theory of ideology as exemplified by Slavoj Žižek for developing antigypsyism research. This paper presents a Žižekian analysis of three issues that correspond to different aspects of the antigypsyist phenomenon identified via ethnographic research among the non-Roma inhabitants of a declining neighbourhood with a significant Roma presence in Czechia. E issues are called envy, corruption and ‘hard racism’. Corruption and ‘Hard Racism’: Studying Antigypsyism as an Ideological Fantasy.

INTRODUCTION
THEORY OF IDEOLOGY À LA ŽIŽEK
CONTEXTUALIZING ANTIGYPSYISM
CONCLUSION
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