Towards a methodology of ethno-political comparative analysis. The Romanians from Covasna and Harghita counties, the Romanians from Hungary and the Hungarians from Romania

In the present paper we intend to outline the relationship between ethno-politics and its manifestations in economic, cultural, legal-administrative levels, vectored according to the criterion of ethnic belonging, in Harghita and Covasna counties, in the Romanian community in Hungary, respectively in the Hungarian minority in Romania. Considering ethno-politics as the branch of geo-politics that aims to strengthen and propagate statehood, by supporting the ethnicity that gives them legitimacy60, we will analyze comparatively the types of ethno-politics practiced by the two states, Romania and Hungary, in the 3 communities mentioned above to indicate their degree of organization, systematization and presence in the region. Using Dimitrie Gusti’s theory of frames (cosmic, biological, historical, and psychological) and manifestations (cultural, economic, legal, and political) we will analyze the data gathered “from the field”, and try to operationalize and “frame” the ethno - policy of the two states, outlining their main features and modes of operation.