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Portrait of Simon Turner. Photo: Emma Lord.

Simon Turner

Professor | Head of Research | Deputy Head of Department

Portrait of Simon Turner. Photo: Emma Lord.

The social construction of diasporas: conceptual development and the Rwandan case

Author

  • Simon Turner

Editor

  • Robin Cohen
  • Carolin Fischer

Summary, in English

In this chapter, the author deals with how moral attributes are assigned to particular diasporas or parts of a diaspora, developing his argument both conceptually and with respect to the Rwandan government's construction of diaspora. The Rwandan government does what it can to attract investments and encourage return migration of those abroad who are believed to be supportive of the regime (its 'positive diaspora'). It also actively works on its so-called 'negative diaspora'; those Hutu who fled with the old regime and allegedly resent the present regime. Glenn Bowman argues that Palestine became an 'empty signifier' that was so open and vaguely defined that it managed to encompass all the troubles and tribulations of a diverse, dispersed and heterogeneous population. The Rwandan government's attempts to control the diaspora through such social categorizations never fully succeeds, as certain groups remain hostile and resist its attempts to 'rein them in'.

Publishing year

2018-09-01

Language

English

Pages

40-47

Publication/Series

Routledge Handbook of Diaspora Studies

Document type

Book chapter

Publisher

Routledge

Topic

  • Other Social Sciences

Keywords

  • Diaspora
  • diasporic
  • Rwanda

Status

Published