Abstrakt
The text presents an analysis of the opinions and stances among Czechs on the issue of social exclusion of the Roma and evaluates possible solutions and possibilities for overcoming existing and adverse developments. This study focuses on the structural differences between regions and the number of socially excluded localities in their territory, public perceptions of the urgency ad salience of the co-existence with the Roma, and the solution most widely supported by the public.
The data analyzed in the text come from the survey designed by Ivan Gabal Analysis & Consulting in collaboration with Open Society Fund. In principle, the Czech public distinguishes two main explanation of the source of the problems of co-existence with the Roma minority: racial or ethnic dissimilarity and social differences.
Interestingly, the proportion of respondents who choose the ethnic a racial interpretation of the problem has not changed over the last ten years and ethnic dissimilarity represents the most widespread explanation of problem with the Roma. However, the majority of public demands a full assimilation form members of other ethnic groups.
The situation corresponds to Gregory Bateson's concept of the double bind, which refers to a paradoxical form of communication in which and individual (or a group) receives two or more conflicting messages, with one message negating the other. Discourse like this limits public trust in the possibility of integration at the same time as preparing thr ground on which new radical rhetoric can grow.