SOCIAL AND POLITICAL ROLE OF MODERN DIASPORA IN THE CONTEXT OF MIGRATION PROCESSES

SOCIAL AND POLITICAL ROLE OF MODERN DIASPORA IN THE CONTEXT OF MIGRATION PROCESSES

Pavel Sychev

post-graduate student of Voronezh Institute of Economics and social management,

Russia, Voronezh

ABSTRACT

In the context of globalization migration processes contribute to the formation of diasporas as ethnic entities, what has its social, political, economic and cultural impact on the receiving society. Disaspora can also stand as a political actor locally as well as on the global scale.

Keywords: migration, diaspora, receiving society, political actor, transnational network.

The current era is characterized by increased migration processes. The modern society is subject to change due to globalization, accompanied with technology and transport development, and the great population movement within and outside the countries’ borders. Given the cultural difference between the groups of migrants, the subject of peaceful and harmonious coexistence is gaining importance. The appearing of different ethnic groups leads to formation of a phenomenon known as disaspora.

Diaspora is " a steady set of people, a single ethnic origin, living outside of its historic homeland (outside the area of the settlement of their people) and having institutions for the development and operation of this commonality” [7].

V.A Tishkov gives the following definition of diaspora:

“It is a cultural distinctive community based on the presentation of the general homeland and the collective communication, group solidarity and demonstrated by the attitude towards the Motherland’ [4].

Based on the definitions, it is seen, that disaspora is a community, existing on the territory, never been possessed by this community, in the alien ethno-cultural environment. Primarily, this community aims to protect and preserve its ethnic identity and culture in the terms of the alien cultural surrounding, formed by the dominant society. The key driver for sustaining the sense of solidarity is the myth about its homeland and the loyalty to this as well as an idea of returning there, at least, symbolically. In the past diasporas often lived isolated, and the contacts with their original society were sporadic.

Returning to the point of relation between diaspora and migration processes, it could be said that the group of migrants and diaspora are not necessarily identical concepts or phenomena, although both can be closely interrelated and impact on each other. Diaspora has its structure, which is intended to preserve and maintain ethnic or religious identity of the group, forming it. Migrants can also form their groups, but they often do not even strive for their identity unlike the diaspora’s members. Nevertheless, diaspora and its development level can be a pulling factor for immigration and further adaptation. Additionally, diaspora can also be one of types of migration as some scholars classify it.

To consider identifying characteristics of disaspora as a social and cultural phenomenon, it is necessary to provide the main features, highlighted in the researches of T.F.Anosova and S.S.Kirilyuk:

- population (the number of people, united within diaspora);

- cohesion extent of its members;

- social composition;

- cultural distance, separating the members of diaspora from the “titular” dominant population;

- settlement compactness of diaspora in the territory of residence country;

- extent of “entrenchedness” in the settlement territory [1].;

The role of diaspora is widely ranged, since this ethnic formation has double influence both on its members and the receiving society territory, where diaspora is situated. 

Given all differences between migrants group and diaspora, the latter, nevertheless, can stand as a significant factor in the migrants adaptation, since it is recruited by family and friendship ties with country citizens, residing in their motherland. The members of diaspora can be an example to inspire and urge for others in making decision to move. This tendency can exemplify mentioned above pulling factor.

It is also important to distinguish diaspora and migrant community. Diaspora intends to stay for a longer period in the new place, whereas migrants can consider the host country as a temporary living place. Unlike migrant groups, diaspora thoroughly cultivates already mentioned ethno-cultural identity and the memory of origin place. Resisting the assimilation, diaspora members preserve their culture, which is further inherited by next generations. Being its culture-bearer, younger diaspora members, born in the hosting them country, can be already considered as part of this, not immigrants, regardless the different origin. By contrast, immigrants groups are more flexible in this regard, they often accept the new culture and do not tend to resist assimilation [3].

As mentioned before, the hallmark of diaspora is a desire to preserve its ethnic identity under the dominance of initially alien culture. Diaspora has so-called collective memory, which keeps being cultivated by the members of newer generation, born on the territory of the new (for-them) country and surrounded by the new culture-bearers [4].

When it comes do diaspora relation to the adaptation process, it is worth mentioning the research of E.L.Trofimova. In her work the author considers a number of constructive and deconstructive functions, fulfilled by diaspora. As constructive the author identifies the following functions:

1. Formation and preservation of ethnic self-awareness and identity;
2. Economic niche search for each member of community;
3. Supporting members of its ethnic group in economic and sociocultural adaptation in alien ethnic environment;
4. Protection and support social and economic rights of the ethnic group members;
5. Self-governance function, promotion and directing the political, economic and social activity of the ethnic community members;
6. Assimilation process resistance;
7. Function of upbringing, educating and socializing the younger generation within its culture;

Among destructive (negative) ones E.L. Trofimova notes the likelihood of diasporas closedness and its minimization of contacts with other ethnic groups (both local population of the country and other diasporas). On its part this scenario can result in the growth of anxiety, sense and tension within the group regarding any contacts with other ethnic and national groups. Consequently, it can likely lead to ethno-national conflicts in the future. Furthermore, as the author points out, the closeness of diaspora and accompanying negative attitudes from other groups gives also rise to an economic strain, reflecting in the competition within the job market as well as striving some of its (diaspora’s) members for easy pickings. Besides, it is also noted that excessive diaspora support of its ethnic group members can eventually lead to emergence of well-organized criminal groups or contribution to illegal immigration [6].

Diaspora consistently maintains ties with its homeland, what inevitably impacts on its life as well as its receiving society. Ethnic and national diasporas can also function as a political actors, influencing on the host country inner and foreign policy of up to its transformations. Given all strong ties with its homeland and carefully protected ethnic identity, diaspora members can take significant part in the receiving society economical, socio-political and cultural life.

Diaspora can also be structuralized and have its own leader, representing the community interests, and his supporters as well as just community activists. The activity of disaspora members can be regular and occasional. Some of the members of the ethnic group can have very rare and sporadic contacts with the community or even never join it.

Turning to the structure of disapora, some researchers note, that it often strives to reproduce its own government-like formation. This can be seen in establishing the system, similar to social administration, which has its core, represented by leaders. This system includes the parts, which in turn have administrative, spiritual and forcing functions, although the latter has no formal status [2].

There are cases, when diaspora can be split by virtue of its diversity and inner conflict of interests. Some of its members can eventually renounce the ties with their homeland and its members in order to blend into receiving society. Thus, inside of diaspora the fragmentation process can be in evidence, what can result the division into the groups and their separation from each other irrespective of ethno-cultural and linguistic commonality.

In the context of globalization, accompanying with increased world migration, the growth of diasporas can be also observed. Various national groups broaden the residence territory on their destination countries. Thanks to modern technologies, it is much easier to maintain the bonds with the homeland. On the one hand, it can help to preserve and perpetuate the linguistic and cultural identity in the new society. On the other hand, it can contribute to alienation and obstruct integration in the receiving society, what can lead to the further isolation.

In global consideration, due to easier maintenance of ties with the origin country today diaspora is not an isolated group within alien society, but it remains in constant contact with its home country, where their ethnic or national group is the majority. For its part, the country can use diaspora as a tool of international influence. It is possible through forming of transnational networks by way of diasporas, spread worldwide.

Disapora can be influential on the socio-political life of the destination country. Under current condition it is significantly easier, since diaspora can enlist its support in the homeland and lobby its interests that might lead to socio-political transformations in the receiving society of host country.

However, the contrary process can be also observed, when the experience, acquired by diaspora, can influence on the origin country. Indian diaspora in US can be taken as an example. Back in 1970s India began a policy of IT-field development. It included adaptation of Western business models in Indian companies. Besides, largely due to Indian diaspora in US the outsourcing companies developed. 

Of great importance for national IT-sphere development was the fact, that India was successfully adapting and applying Western business and management models. Indian outsourcing companies offer thorough personnel training. For example, if an American bank customer in Texas has some problems with his credit card and contacts the bank’s customer service, he likely will be answered by a customer service agent from Mumbai. However, this American client will barely realize it, since the service agents of English speaking countries oriented call-centers are obligated serve the customers in a pure, Indian accent-free language. If Indian company's activity is targeted on the American market, the personnel must pass additional American pronunciation training. Indian operators also use English and American names to introduce themselves for the sake of their overseas customers' convenience. This approach of customer service had helped Indian companies to conquer the foreign markets [9]. 

Reverting to the issue of government influence on the other country policies through its diasporas, we can say that this point remains ambiguous. Disapora can really serve as a political actor on the territory of the destination country and represent the interest of its origin country. Nevertheless, this is effective providing disaspora and its home country have common interests. In terms of adaptation and development of diaspora, the interests of particular ethnic group and its homeland can diverge given time. For diaspora home country it can be an obstacle for expanding the influence and representing its interests on the outside. Therefore, there is a direct correlation between foreign policy of the state and its relations with ethno-national diasporas, living beyond.

To summarize, it can be said that diaspora is an ethno-cultural group, residing on the territory of other country and aiming to restore or maintain its cultural identity in terms of alien cultural environment. The key factor of preserving diaspora’s stability is a myth or collective memory about the homeland. Nowadays it is easier to maintain the bonds with the homeland and to get its support thanks to modern technologies. Diaspora can be a pulling factor for immigration and have a function of adaptation, facilitating this process for the newcomers in the destination country. Diaspora can also function as a political actor, promoting its interests in the receiving society. For a government diaspora can act as a representative of its interests on the territories of other countries by expanding its influence through transnational network of diasporas. Thus, diaspora can be a foreign policy tool of its origin country.

References:

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