Diaspora is an important concept in history, sociology, religious
studies, ethnic studies, political science, and literary criticism,
among other disciplines. Meanwhile, journalists, politicians, and
cultural authorities use the term with increasing frequency when
describing contemporary global migration. But what does diaspora
mean? Until recently, the term referred principally to the
dispersal and exile of the Jews. However, over the course of the
twentieth century, involuntary migrants from Armenia, Africa, and
Ireland came to be seen as diasporic. Since the 1980s, diaspora has
proliferated to a remarkable extent-to the point where it risks
losing its coherence. If diaspora is merely a synonym for
"migration" or "ethnic group," why use the word at all? Kevin
Kenny's Very Short Introduction to diaspora examines the origins of
diaspora as a concept, its changing meanings over time, its current
popularity, and its strengths and limitations as an explanatory
device. Mediating between the multiple definitions currently in
use, the book proposes a flexible approach to diaspora that can
provide insights into the motives for migration; the networks
through which migrants travel; the political, economic, and
cultural connections they form among themselves, with their
homelands, and with fellow diasporans in other locations around the
world; the idea of return to a homeland, sometimes literally but
more often metaphorically; and recent developments concerning
refugees and globalization. The argument ranges broadly across time
and space, using examples drawn mainly from Jewish, African, Irish,
and Asian history. Diaspora emerges not as a thing that can be
measured but as a concept that helps people-migrants, scholars, and
social commentators alike-to make sense of the experience of
migration. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series
from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost
every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to
get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine
facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make
interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
