Cohen, Robin, 1944-. (1995) Rethinking 'Babylon' : iconoclastic conceptions of the diasporic experience. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, Vol.21 (No.1). pp. 5-18. ISSN 1369-183X

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Abstract

The word ‘diaspora’ is closely associated with enslavement, exile and loneliness. A people is seen to be scattered as a result of a traumatic historical event. Contrary to this assumption, a closer examination of the provenance of the classical diasporas, Jewish and Greek, reveal a degree of voluntarism in their patterns of out‐migration, or a mix of impelled and colonising migration. Although the idea of a ‘victim diaspora’ can be sustained in the case of the Armenians and Africans, other experiences are more ambiguous or benign. Indeed, diasporas can be seen as galvanising a new creative energy outside the natal homeland. In the modern period the force of excluding nationalisms often generated counter‐nationalist or return movements among diasporic groups. However, the current period of globalisation has enhanced the practical, economic and affective role of diasporas, raising the possibility that they may become alternative or parallel foci of loyalty to the nation‐state.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HM Sociology J Political Science > JV Colonies and colonization. Emigration and immigration. International migration
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Centre for the Study of Globalisation and Regionalisation Faculty of Social Sciences > Sociology
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Emigration and immigration, Population transfers, Transnationalism, Globalization
Journal or Publication Title:	Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies
Publisher:	Routledge
ISSN:	1369-183X
Date:	January 1995
Volume:	Vol.21
Number:	No.1
Page Range:	pp. 5-18
Identification Number:	10.1080/1369183X.1995.9976469
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Version or Related Resource:	Reprinted in: Cohen, R. (1999). Rethinking Babylon: iconoclastic conceptions of the diaspora experience. In: Vertovec, S. and Cohen, R., eds. Migration, diasporas and transnationalism. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, pp. 252–65.
URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/36584

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