Global Diasporas: An Introduction

Description

Following its initial publication in 1997, Global Diasporas: An Introduction was central to the emergence of diaspora studies and quickly established itself as the leading textbook in the field. This expanded and fully-revised 25th anniversary edition adds two new chapters on incipient diasporas and diaspora engagement while carefully clarifying the changing meanings of the concept of diaspora and incorporating updated statistics and new interpretations seamlessly into the original text. The book has also been made more student-friendly with illustrations, thought-provoking questions, and guides to further reading. The book features insightful case studies and compares a wide range of diasporas, including Jewish, Armenian, African, Sikh, Chinese, British, Indian, Lebanese, Afghan and Caribbean peoples. This edition also retains Cohen’s rich historical and sociological descriptions and clear yet elegant writing, as well as his modified concept of ‘diasporic rope’ linking different features of diasporas. This updated edition of the definitive textbook in the field will be an indispensable guide for students and instructors seeking to explore the complex issues of diaspora, migration and identity. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents List of figures List of tables Acknowledgements Preface to the 25th Anniversary Edition 1 The study of diasporas: a guide Simple definitions of diaspora A complex idea of diaspora: nine strands of a diasporic rope A typology of diasporas Diasporic actors and activism Conclusion Further reading Questions to think about Notes References 2 Transcending the prototype: rethinking the Jewish diaspora The Jewish diaspora as prototype ‘Babylon’ as a site of oppression ‘Babylon’ as a site of creativity The Jewish diaspora and Christianity The Jewish diaspora and Islam Ashkenazi fates Conclusion Further reading Questions to think about Notes References 3 Victim diasporas: Africans and Armenians Origins of the African diaspora The social construction of African homelands Return and other aspects of the African diaspora The creation of the Armenian diaspora After the massacres: Armenians at home and abroad Soviet Armenia and after Conclusion Further reading Questions to think about Notes References 4 Labour and imperial diasporas: indentured Indians and the British Indentured Indians: a new system of slavery? Indentured women The songs of Ramayana and political outcomes Imperial diasporas The settlement of the British Empire British emigration from below: the role of ‘gentlewomen’ The end of the dominion diaspora Effects on British identity Conclusion Further reading Questions to think about Notes References 5 Trade diasporas: Chinese and Lebanese The making of the Chinese trade diaspora The Chinese as minorities The great Lebanese emigration The Lebanese diaspora: butterflies and caterpillars Conclusion Further reading Questions to think about Notes References 6 Deterritorialized diasporas: the black Atlantic and other cases The Caribbean: migration and diaspora African-Caribbeans in the USA African-Caribbeans in the UK Caribbean peoples in the Netherlands and France The black Atlantic thesis Other deterritorialized diasporas Conclusion Further reading Questions to think about Notes References 7 Incipient diasporas: Afghans and other refugees and displaced people Workers in the Gulf states Turkish guestworkers in Germany Incipient diasporas and ‘new diasporas’ The making of an incipient diaspora: Afghans Refugees and displaced people as reservoirs for incipient diasporas Incipiency and contiguity: the dimensions of diaspora formation Conclusion Further reading Questions to think about Notes References 8 Dreams and realities of a homeland: Zionists and Sikhs Birth traumas: can Israel be a ‘normal’ state? Israel and the diaspora: a tangled relationship Yordim, sabras and transnationals Israel and the US Jewish diaspora: attitudinal shifts A Sikh identity Sikh origins Amritsar, the Golden Temple and the lure of homeland Post-Khalistani visions: the politics of recognition and a global qaum Conclusion Further reading Questions to think about Notes References 9 Diaspora engagement: state and non-state actors Home governments and diasporas: from rejection to adoption Host governments and diasporas: from fear to accommodation International agencies/INGOs and diasporas as agents of development Diasporas and homeland community engagement Diasporas in conflict and post-conflict situations Conclusion Further reading Questions to think about Notes References 10 Conclusion: mutating meanings of diaspora Jews and Greeks in classical times Diaspora in early Christianity The expanded concept The emergent field of diaspora studies Decoupling diaspora from homeland Applied diaspora studies Diasporas and complexity Conclusion: between self-declaration and a Procrustean bed Further reading Questions to think about Notes References Index