The Political Influence of Diasporas: Indians, Cubans and Jews in the United States

Abstract

The research focuses on the diasporas and on the political power those groups could, under certain conditions attain. This power, consequently, when effectively employed, could potentially enable them to exert influence on the foreign policy decision making in their hostland, when lobbying for homeland related issues. However, and despite the fact that diasporas, at least in liberal and open hostlands such as the United States, share the same liberties concerning their freedom to mobilize, not all are perceived to be equally successful in effectively promoting their foreign policy related goals. Some diasporas, such as the Jewish in the United States, are widely perceived to be extremely influential politically, while others have not been able to become equally successful. At the same time, even the same influential diaspora might be successful in promoting certain issues, while failing to promote others. In light of the abovementioned, the research focuses on the elements that when present might enhance the capacity of the diaspora to effectively promote its homeland related goal and, therefore, exert political influence in hostland. This target is sought to be accomplished by employing the case study research method, comparing three different diasporas and their efforts to promote specific homeland related issues. Additionally, by dividing those elements under question in two categories depending on the ability or inability of the diaspora to manipulate them to their benefit, the research attempts to determine whether groups, lacking certain elements are predetermined to fail in promoting their interests and whether success is possible for certain groups, only, that share certain characteristics. According to the results of the study of the three American based diasporas and their respective endeavors to promote their homeland related issues in the United States, the factors that are under control of the group to modify seem to be key in exerting influence.