Zeszyty Naukowe Uniwersytetu Szczecińskiego. Acta Politica

Both RAŚ and SLS activities may be considered as another confirmation of ethnic revival in Central Europe. Their activities may also give reason for searching new formsof relations between centers of particular states and their peripheries as well as for discussion about the scope and respect shown by the states and majority societiesto rights of minorities. The political platforms of RAŚ and SLS are different at many points and it can reflect well the fact that ethnicity in itself relating to some unique setof symbols and values is being expressed in different manners depending on social and temporal contexts. Both programs however can serve as a basis for ethnic policy understood in terms of ethnic loyalty and regional identity. In both, one can easily perceive two basic postulates characteristic to ethno-regional groups – those underlying the idea of ethnicity and territory. They are usually formulated and expressed as an attempt to fight against economic and social marginalization. According to leaders of those political groups, putting into effect the postulates included in their political programs could lead to political liberation from structural inequality and center’s domination and asa consequence leading to real equality of members of the minority groups with other citizens.