THE ANTONINUS JOURNAL

Abstract

Using a heuristic approach through the lens of political opportunity, this article studies the level of politicization of diaspora groups originating from China, Turkey, Poland and the Philippines. It explores the relationships that exist between these diaspora groups and their home countries, including their integration and empowerment as initiated by their home governments. The author posits that politicization of diaspora occurs when sending countries mobilize their diaspora groups to become part of their diplomatic strategy as a way to extend their political influence in another country. There is no hard, fast rule, however, and such politicization varies from one country to another, and from one diaspora group to another. This variation is partly due to external factors affecting diaspora groups, including the migration policies of their homeland and host countries, as well as the presence or absence of political opportunities. Nonetheless, such politicization of diaspora groups at times become an issue for host countries as it borders on interference by another state. This may be attributed to certain factors, such as the lack of an international agreement on what constitutes interference in another country’s sovereignty and the porous and liquid character of information and communications technology (ICT), particularly social media, which is primarily the method of communication between diaspora groups and their homelands.