Diaspora policy in weakly governed arenas and the benefits of multipolar engagement

Lessons from the Coptic Orthodox Church in Egypt

Bibliographic Data

ID3633665
AuthorsJennifer M Brinkerhoff (0000-0003-0887-0863, George Washington University, corresponding author)
Year2019
Volume45
Issue4
Pages561-576
Publication date2019-03-12
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueNew Community (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0047-9586 • E-ISSN: 1469-9451
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/1369183x.2017.1409168
OpenAlexW2777323411
LanguageEN
Citations received10
References cited18

Much of the literature on diaspora policy frameworks assumes states are monolithic, with exclusively centralised decision-making and political and administrative capacity spread across decentralised units. Yet, decentralised units of government do engage directly with diasporas; and many countries seeking to engage their diasporas suffer from limited capacity and reach to jurisdictions far from their capitals. In weak governing structures, diaspora policy is likely to be less formal, and ad hoc. The Coptic Orthodox Church in Egypt is the de facto public service provider to Coptic communities in Egypt. Like the Egyptian state, it suffers from limited control of its decentralised dioceses. The Church's implicit and decentralised diaspora policy demonstrates the complexity and benefits of multipolar diaspora engagement. It offers a menu of options that may maximise the deepening of diaspora identity and the material contributions diasporas make in the country of origin, and the sustenance of both. The analysis supports a political economy, and especially governmentality, explanation for differences in diaspora policy

Diaspora · Governmentality · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Public policy · Sociology · Diaspora, migration, transnational identity · International Development and Aid · Law · Migration, Refugees, and Integration

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