Article

Diaspora Concept and a Socio-Political Analysis of Turkey’s Diaspora Politics in the Context of Modern Theory

Abstract

Diaspora is one of the most important social and political events of our time. Diaspora theory is considered within two different approaches, classical and modern. Our work at this point has taken both approaches into account, as well as modern approaches in their explanations. Modern approaches focus on individual and individualistic collectivism in the context of globalization, nation-default and liberal democracy. Although the phenomenon of diaspora has become more and more prevalent in Turkey in recent years, the scientific aspect has been neglected as a study and interest. When we look at the state policies of Turkey, the same negligence is striking. Turkey shapes its plans and programs for diaspora according to the observed requirements, the conveys of different pressure groups, and the very political-cultural determinations of all. In this respect, it seems that Kemalist, militarist, centralist, and otherizing perception are dominant in the historical view of Turkey’s diaspora policies. In this context, our work primarily explains the theoretical explanations of the diaspora, and then analyzes the historical determinations underlying Turkey’s diasporic policies in the context of modern approaches and within a political-sociological framework. The scope of the article is defined as diaspora theories, globalization, nation-state, nationalism, citizenship, integration and Turkey’s political-social history.

Keywords

Migration Diaspora Modern Diaspora Classic Diaspora Turkish Diaspora Turkish Abroad