Diasporas and Foreign Policy: A Comparative Analysis
Short description
The project examines how diaspora groups influence foreign policy in European liberal democracies. Foreign policy has historically been characterised by limited public scrutiny and elite-driven decision-making, while civil society influence has largely been associated with domestic politics. Migration has blurred this boundary. Today, many citizens maintain strong ties to other countries and have particular interests in issues concerning their countries of origin. This raises questions about representation and influence, but also about how diaspora mobilisation may affect relations between states. The project therefore examines how, when and why diaspora groups shape foreign policy, and the implications of such influence for bilateral relations, by studying interactions between diaspora groups and state actors in five European countries.
The aim of the project
This project examines diaspora groups as an increasingly important type of civil society actor in foreign policy. While liberal democracies are characterised by pluralism and civic participation, foreign policy has traditionally been relatively insulated from domestic political contestation. Migration has made this boundary less distinct, as individuals and communities increasingly maintain political, social and economic ties across borders. Diaspora groups may therefore shape not only domestic debate, but also foreign policy and relations between states.
The project asks how, when and why diaspora groups mobilise to influence host-state foreign policy; how state–diaspora interactions vary across countries and groups; and what factors enable or constrain diaspora influence. Particular attention is given to the consequences of such mobilisation for foreign policy decisions, diplomatic positioning and bilateral relations. In doing so, the project addresses a broader question of how transnational civil society affects the relationship between domestic and international politics.
Drawing on diaspora studies, global civil society research and foreign policy analysis, the project examines how identity, interests, group attributes and political opportunity structures shape mobilisation and influence. The comparative research design covers five European liberal democracies—France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom—and six diaspora groups: Armenians, Assyrians, Iranians, Jews, Kurds and Palestinians. This enables comparison across both national contexts and diaspora groups, allowing the project to identify broader patterns as well as important contextual differences.
Research Team
- Lisbeth Aggestam, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Gothenburg (Principal Investigator).
- Isabell Schierenbeck, Professor, School of Global Studies, University of Gothenburg.
- Melker Bernhardsson, Assistant Researcher, Department of Political Science, University of Gothenburg.