The emigrant influence on native-country politics
Emigrants from politically unstable countries tend to maintain close ties with their country of birth. What influence do such - often lifelong - relationships have on political processes in those home countries? Dr Maria Koinova, a political scientist at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) recently received an ERC Starting Grant to answer this research question.
Emigrants from politically unstable countries tend to maintain close ties with their country of birth. What influence do such - often lifelong - relationships have on political processes in those home countries? Dr Maria Koinova, a political scientist at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) recently received an ERC Starting Grant to answer this research question.
‘The major share of discussions and studies relating to migration are actually about integration, and the impact that has on the receiving country. In this study I'm actually focusing on the effect in the country of origin. The fact is, we know very little about this influence, although it certainly exists and can leave a huge mark on political processes in the country concerned.’
Koinova's research is focusing particularly on emerging states and politically unstable countries and regions near Europe's borders, such as Nagorno-Karabach, Kosovo, Palestine, Turkey (in connection with the Kurdish separatist movement), the Kurdistan region in Iraq, and Iraq itself. Many people who have fled to Western countries such as the Netherlands, France, Germany, Sweden and the United Kingdom maintain close ties with their country of birth. They send their family members money and goods and regularly go back on holidays. Some governments even call on emigrants directly for assistance.
Between new standards and the ‘frozen world’ effect
‘Aside from money, these people also introduce new standards and values – as regards democracy, for example, and secularisation.’ But such personal contacts can also actually hamper political development, in what is known as the ‘frozen world’ effect. ‘People have certain recognisable, fixed ideas about their homeland that they carry with them. So even if the country they’ve left changes significantly, the image an emigrant has in his head often fails to reflect that. This can slow down the processes of change.’
Balkan, Caucasus, Middle East
Koinova’s research is unique for several reasons. Never before have the effects of the influence that emigrants have on political processes in unstable countries been the subject of a scientific study. In addition, Koinova will rely as much as possible on qualitative and quantitative research methods. Finally, a major share of the study is being conducted in the Balkan, the Caucasus and the Middle East. The study will commence in February 2012 and is being conducted by Koinova herself, two PhD students and one postdoc.
Author: Esther van Bochove, FMG Communication Department