SOAS Research Online

Abstract

This entry discusses the meaning of diaspora, its evolution and different usages of the term. It provides an overview of the main categories and types of diaspora found in the literature. Key areas of empirical research and policy debate are introduced, including the relationship between diasporas and conflict, their role in foreign policy and their significance for economic development. The main theoretical approaches to diaspora, focusing primarily on distinctions between essentialist and constructivist perspectives are presented, including their implications for understanding and conducting research on diasporas. The entry also covers alternative views on the relationship between diaspora and the state, including the triadic model, the extent to which the social form of diaspora provides an alternative to territorial nation-states, and the question of long-distance nationalism. The rise of state-led diaspora engagement policies is discussed, including their aims and consequences, their promotion by international organizations, and their relationship to geopolitics.