Transnational communities: migration and diasporas Flashcards
Diaspora Definitions
Diaspora: The spread of a concept or people from their original homeland.
Jewish Diaspora: Originating from the destruction of the temple in 70 AD.
The Black Atlantic: Term designating the African experience of the trade.
Nineteenth Century Diasporas: Increased self-identification as diasporic entities.
Diasporas and Diasporic Actors
Defining Diasporas: Dispersion or spread of people, maintaining ties across borders.
Diasporic Triangle: Home state, host state, diasporic groups
Migration Perception: How a country views migration reflects its values.
Diasporas as Challengers of the Nation-State
Shovelling out the Paupers (Ireland)
Populating the Nation-State (Zionist Project)
Emigration as Danger (Libyan/Balkans)
Shovelling out the Paupers (Ireland)
English policies allowing Irish emigration to rid themselves of the poor.
Liberal political economy & Malthusianism: Solving issues by eliminating them.
Territorial understanding of state policies.
Populating the Nation-State (Zionist Project)
Nationalist and socialist ideologies favoring population growth.
Inward migration policies and the model of the nation-state.
State of Israel’s welcoming stance, contrasting English policies.
Operation Solomon (1991): Bringing back threatened Ethiopian Jews.
Emigration as Danger (Libyan/Balkans)
Political opponents leaving pose a threat.
Authoritarian states exporting the right to control citizens’ lives.
Closed borders and traveling police as control measures.
Diasporas as Resources for the Nation-State
Guestworker Programs (Turkey and Mexico):
Liberal welfare state initiatives.
Creation of a transportable labor force.
Provision of services for the “domestic abroad.”
War and Peace (Yugoslavia):
Diasporas as lobbies facilitating war efforts.
Diasporas as war and peace makers during the Yugoslav conflict.
Diasporas and Global Nation-States:
New understanding of the benefits of diasporas for economic, cultural, and political influence.
Structural factors of change and fusion of policies.
Re-bordering the state and the nation in a transnational context.
Summary of diaspora
The concept of diaspora originated from the Jewish dispersion.
It became a mobilizing concept for various transnational communities.
During the peak of nation-state territorialization, diasporas were seen as problems.
Post-WWII, diasporas were seen as temporary economic solutions.
After the Cold War, some diasporas were incorporated into a globalized nation-state conception.
Main Argument Quote
“In such a context, transnational communities are sometimes the paradigmatic Other of the nation-state and at other times its ally, lobby, or even, as in the case of Israel, its precursor” (p.233).
Diasporas and Territory, view on nation-states
View on Nation-States: The effectiveness and legitimacy of nation-states may be challenged by transnational, global forces.
Infranational Condition: Examples include Navajo, Inuit, Quebecois, etc.
Infranational and Transnational Condition: Examples include Armenian, Magyar, etc.
Relation to the Jewish Experience
Paradigmatic Diasporas: Jewish, Greek, and Armenian.
Claiming the Term: Other groups are also claiming the diaspora term.
Validity of Other Transnationalism: Recognizing other valid and relevant forms, like Cubans.
Context of Transnationalism
Forces Driving Transnationalism:
Movements of capital.
Introduction of “alien cultures” through “media imperialism.”
Double allegiance of dual citizens.
Plural affiliation of transnational corporations.
Diasporas and the Nation-State Today
Nation-State in International Relations: Remains a strong player (e.g., Iraq/Kuwait war).
Ubiquity of Transnationalism:
Diasporas within nation-states.
Diasporic groups participating in nationalist movements.
Influence of diasporic groups in shaping modern Western countries (e.g., guestworkers).
Challenges to Homogeneity of Nation-State
Alternative Cartography: The homogeneity of the nation-state is no longer possible.
Alternative Social Space: Recognizing and navigating alternative social spaces in the context of transnationalism.
