Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies · 2002 · 169 citations · 53 references
HumanitiesHuman GeographyAnthropology Of MigrationDiaspora StudiesTransnational StudiesRefugee DiasporasRefugee StudiesRefugee TransnationalismSocial Reality Construction
Current debates on transnationalism and diasporas frame the context for studying refugee communities. The article argues that adopting the diaspora concept—defined as a transnational social organization linking origin and settlement societies—offers a deeper understanding of refugees’ social reality, while also outlining its limitations. The authors contend that diaspora must be treated as a Weberian ideal type and support this by presenting empirical evidence from Kurdish refugees in Europe. The empirical data demonstrate that the diaspora framework serves as a useful analytical tool for sociological studies of refugees in exile.
This article proposes that the research area of refugee studies can benefit from contemporary discussions about the concepts of transnationalism and diaspora. It is argued that the concept of diaspora, understood as a transnational social organisation relating both to the society of origin and the society of settlement, can give a more profound understanding of the social reality in which refugees live. The article provides a brief presentation of current debates about transnationalism and diasporas. Empirical evidence from Kurdish refugee communities in Europe is used to highlight the fact that the concept of diaspora can provide an analytical tool for a sociological study of refugees in the country of exile. The article then goes on to argue that, in order to be a constructive analytical tool, the concept of diaspora has to be regarded as an ideal type in the true Weberian sense of the term. Finally, some of the limitations and dangers associated with the concept of diaspora will be discussed.
53