This thesis presents a theoretical discussion of how legal pluralism and the idea of parallel systems of justice can address issues of ethnic accommodation. / It is divided into four chapters: (I) an introduction why Transylvania has been selected as a site of analysis; (II) a brief presentation of the ethno-history of Transylvania; (III) an analysis of law focusing on the possibility of applying parallel legal systems, in contemporary states, taking as a case study how Romania might deal with Transylvania; (IV) finding conclusions between utopia and reality. / The evolution of the ethnic composition of Transylvania over the centuries is used to illustrate the complexity of the legal and political issues that must be addressed. Several questions of legal theory are then addressed. When does a norm become legal? What is the relationship between Law and state institutions or the relationship between Law and society? Is Law a singular or a pluralist phenomenon? How is Law culturally, historically or politically determined? How can ethnicity or cultural membership be defined in legal terms? / The two main justifications for accommodating ethnic minorities through parallel legal systems are then examined: the argument based on the collective rights of national groups; and the argument based on protecting the cultural continuity of a national group. The thesis suggests that thinking about parallel legal system must be grounded in the specific historical, political, ethnic, and legal context of a region. / The goal of "The Vampires of Transylvania" is to challenge contemporary legal thinking rather than to provide an absolute final conclusion on the topic of parallel legal systems. Final answers in this field are possible only after legal mythology and ethno-cultural taboos have both been demolished.

Note: / Many studies explore the determinants of support for ethnic parties, and the consequences of such parties for democracy. This dissertation addresses these questions through a study of the Bahujan Samaj Party (B.S.P.) in India's largest state, Uttar Pradesh (U.P.). The BSP is India's only successful lower caste party, and gained greatest support over the last two decades in U.P., which it now rules. The dissertation argues that material benefits, delivered on a programmatic basis, account for the success of the B.S.P., and perhaps other ethnic parties too, among poorer groups.[...] / De nombreuses etudes se penchent sur les facteurs expliquant l’appui citoyen aux parris ethniques ainsi que les consequences d’un tel appui en ce qui a trait a la democratie. Cette these aborde ces questions a u·avers une etude du Parti Bahujan Samaj (PBS) dans le plus grand Etat indien, !’Uttar Pradesh (UP). Le PBS est le seul parti de basses castes ayant connu un succes electoral en Inde, et dirige maintenant l’UP, resultat d’une popularite croissante au cours des deux dernieres decennies. Cette these argumente que les avantages materiels, distribues de facon programmatique, expliquent le succes du PBS, et sans doute celui d’autres parris ethniques representant les couches les plus pauvres de la societe.[...]

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2003 / Pacific Islands Studies

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