Mapping Non-Territorial Autonomy Arrangements

Abstract The article examines the correspondence between the notion of non-territorial autonomy for ethnic groups (NTA) and its empirical referents and seeks to evaluate the expediency of employing the concept as a descriptive term. The concept applies primarily for normative purposes and as such has lost clarity. The author discusses the ways of overcoming conceptual inflation. Working definitions not duplicating other concepts are possible, but they relate to a marginal and heterogeneous phenomenon and turn out to be optional. The author suggests that NTA shall be regarded as a practical rather than analytical category and studied as discursive and performative exercises.