Suppressing transnationalism: bringing constraints into the study of transnational political action

Abstract

Studies of transnationalism typically account for homeland-oriented transnational political action (TPA) as the product of varying political opportunities. Yet, the opportunity-driven perspective overlooks why some immigrant and diaspora communities refrain from engaging in homeland politics or are forestalled in their attempts to do so. We address this shortcoming by theorizing how sociopolitical conditions can constrain TPA. Drawing inductively from primary data on Pakistani, Syrian, Libyan, and Yemeni diasporas as well as secondary sources, we identify four sources of constraint: 1) geopolitics and interstate relations; 2) origin-country authoritarianism; 3) weak origin-country governance; and 4) exclusionary receivingcountry contexts. By demonstrating how these socio-political forces suppress TPA, we contribute a new theoretical approach that emphasizes the conditions and relations that hinder cross-border political action. In sum, the article illustrates the theoretical importance of understanding variation in TPA and the utility of examining negative cases in the study of immigrant and diaspora transnational politics.

Educational Place, Simultaneity, and Civic Participation in Asian America

“…In addition to contributing new empirical insights into the civic participation of Asian immigrants, our findings are consistent with recent theoretical scholarship that urges scholars to explore and theorize how transnational linkages and processes operate at multiple scales (Faist 2016;Chaudhary and Moss 2019;Erdal 2020). Future efforts to interrogate the links between education and civic participation should systematically compare how the substance and access to civic education varies between immigrants' origin and receiving societies.…”

Theorizing interactions of migrant transnationalism and integration through a multiscalar approach

“…E.g. studies show the impact of stronger or weaker integration and transnational ties for return intentions (Carling and Pettersen 2014), for economic ties (Carling et al 2012;Kuuire et al 2016;Erdal 2012) in relation to political participation 'here' and 'there' (Chaudhary and Moss 2019;Cristina et al 2014), or in relation to co-development programs (Lacroix 2016;Ostergaard-Nielsen 2011). But despite significant advances in knowledge about interaction of migrant transnationalism and integration, arguably, a dynamic multiscalar approach is yet to be applied in this field of study.…”

Ascriptive Organizational Stigma and the Constraining of Pakistani Immigrant Organizations

“…Immigrant organizations have long been ubiquitous features of immigrant-receiving societies (Schmitter 1980;Moya 2005), and migration scholars have revealed their essential roles in immigrant integration (Bloemraad 2006;Jossart-Marcelli 2013;Okamoto and Gast 2013), political mobilization (Wong and Satzewich 2005;Ramakrishnan and Bloemraad 2008), and cross-border transnational engagements (Smith 2005;Portes et al 2007;Chaudhary and Moss 2019), among other topics. However, in drawing attention to the presence and functions of IOs, much of this literature has inadvertently emphasized their opportunities and potential benefits to constituents, with less attention given to the external conditions capable of constraining immigrant organizations.…”