Diaspora Meets IR's Constructivism: An Appraisal

This article explores the concept of diaspora in relation to constructivism within IR theory. It begins by investigating the origins, definition and implications of the phenomenon of diaspora, before focusing on issues concerning identity interpenetration and multiple loyalties. Consequently, the article outlines diaspora's relationship to constructivism, particularly in terms of identity formation and the self/other dyad, as well as in the analysis of culture and transnational norms, and concludes by examining the challenges and possibilities diaspora poses for constructivist IR theory. Acting as both commentary and conjecture, this article serves as a conceptual overview of diaspora, while arousing intellectual concern for what will be a dominant issue of emerging identity politics in the twenty-first century.