ABSTRACT
Romania is only beginning a transition away from autocracy, and a fully pluralistic system is unlikely in the near future. The publication of the Timisoara Declaration was overshadowed by ethnic violence resulting from the growth of nationalistic opposition groups, both Romanian and Hungarian. Ceausescu’s xenophobia was denounced by his compatriots as a betrayal of Romanian national interests, and his economic policies as a threat to “the biological existence” of the Romanian people. During 1990 the Romanian case proved the least promising in terms of creating a democratic system in which the new leaders and institutions would be accountable to the citizens and in which the freedoms and rights of individuals and groups would be respected. The creation of positive relations among political opponents in Romania can only come through successful experience in negotiations, the formation of pacts, and the process of politics, as Romania moves toward a market economy and develops its new constitution in practice.
