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Similarities And Similarities Between Diaspora And Transnationalism

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Diaspora and transnationalism are two facets of migration theories.The term diaspora is derived from the Greek verb diaspeirein to scatter, from dia- (=across) + speirein (= to sow) and refers to the scattering of people away from the ancestral homeland. (Meriam-Webster Dictionary) Researchers, assert that there are various kinds of diaspora as there are different causes for its’ appearance like labor migration, imperialism, social coherences through the diaspora community and relationship with the homeland. Also, a similarity through the various kinds of diaspora, according to Werbner (2002) is that they are characterized by co-responsibility through the boundaries of political communities or nations. The notion of co-responsibility underlines …show more content…

Transnationalism is a newer term than the two-thousand-year-old term of the diaspora. Although it shares some characteristics with the diaspora, It is difficult to distinguish these terms as the definition of diaspora has expanded (Safran 1991; Brubaker 2005) As reported by King and Christou (2011), many scholars use these terms interchangeably. A migrant can be a member of diaspora without being transnational and vice versa. Faist (2010, p.9) describes these terms as ‘awkward dance partners’. Levitt (2001b: 202 as cited in Brettell, 2006) clarifying the use of these two terms, recognized that while diaspora is used more widely to describe people who have been displaced by different forces, a transnational community is a set of potential diasporas that may or may not be formed. Moreover, Van Hear (1998: 249, as cited in Brettell, 2006) supported that transnational communities highlight the allegiances both to sending and receiving country but diaspora forms “broadly expanded allegiances”. Although, there are many scholars who determine that diasporas are part of transnational communities (Brettell,2006). Still others like Vertovec (1999:449 as cited in Brettell, 2006) suggested that diasporas of old have been transformed to today's transnational communities maintaining various types of social organization, mobility, and communication. Bauböck and Faist, (2010) recognized a similarity between these terms is that both usually describe cross-border ties among regions of origin, destination and others region where migrants live. According to Bauböck and Faist, (2010) diasporas are shaped around an unsettled country while transnational communities do not contest the home or host country and are economically oriented. Additionally, transnationalism does not imply an uprooting from the homeland nor bad causes as in the case of the diaspora. Also, members of

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