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Cited by 104Diaspora, migration, transnational identityEastern European Communism and ReformsPolitical Conflict and Governance

Diasporas and democratization in the post-communist world

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Koinova, Maria·2009·Communist and Post-Communist Studies
DOI 10.1016/j.postcomstud.2009.02.001
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Abstract

If diaspora communities are socialized with democratic values in Western societies, they could be expected to be sympathetic to the democratization of their home countries. However, there is a high degree of variation in their behavior. Contrary to the predominant understanding in the literature that diasporas act in exclusively nationalist ways, this article argues that they do engage with the democratization of their home countries. Various challenges to the sovereignty of their homelands explain whether diasporas involve with procedural or liberal aspects of democratization. Drawing evidence from the activities of the Ukrainian, Serbian, Albanian and Armenian diasporas after the end of communism, I argue that unless diasporas are linked to home countries that enjoy both international legal and domestic sovereignty, they will involve only with procedural aspects of democratization. Diasporas filter international pressure to democratize post-communist societies by utilizing democratic procedures to advance unresolved nationalist goals.

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  • Diasporic groups can play the role of enablers by facilitating the transfer of social and political norms, including democratic values, which can threaten authoritarian rule.

    “They can play the role of ' enablers ' by facilitating the transfer of social and political norms, including democratic values, which can, in turn, threaten authoritarian rule (Koinova 2009).”

    From The Long Arm and the Iron Fist: Authoritarian Crackdowns and Transnational Repression (2024) · cites this paper as Koinova 2009

    The Major theoretical accounts section describes diasporas supporting democratic campaigns, civic organizations, and opposition to authoritarian regimes; the Conclusions section says they can act as agents of democratization (page numbers unavailable). These passages support the potential to challenge authoritarian rule, but do not establish that diasporas do so by transferring social and political norms, including democratic values. (LLM, conf=0.82)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • External diasporic organizations have been shown, in some cases, to improve the quality of governance in home states.

    “The interventions of external diasporic organizations have also been shown, in some cases, to improve the quality of governance in home states.”

    From Non‐state authoritarianism and diaspora politics (2020) · cites this paper as Koinova 2009

    The ‘Challenges to the sovereignty of the homeland’ section (page unavailable) describes Ukrainian diaspora organizations promoting liberal democracy through voter outreach, education for parliamentarians, and exchanges between mayors. The Conclusions (page unavailable) characterize this as involvement in democratization, but do not establish that those interventions improved the quality of governance in home states. (LLM, conf=0.82)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Diasporas have been viewed as actors that can, under certain conditions, promote democratization through the diffusion of liberal and democratic norms.

    “More generally, diasporas have been viewed as actors that can, under certain conditions, promote democratization through the diffusion of liberal and democratic norms (Koinova 2009;Shain 1999).”

    From Non‐state authoritarianism and diaspora politics (2020) · cites this paper as Koinova 2009

    The Introduction and Conclusions (page numbers unavailable) say diasporas can engage with democratization and, under certain sovereignty conditions, support liberal aspects of democracy. The copy describes them as filtering international pressure, but does not establish diffusion of liberal and democratic norms as the mechanism. (LLM, conf=0.82)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

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Cites

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Authors
Koinova, M.
Affiliations
Dartmouth College (US)
Corresponding author
Koinova, Maria
ORCID
Koinova, Maria
Venue
Communist and Post-Communist Studies
Publisher
University of California Press
Published
2009-03-01
Volume
42
Issue
1
Pages
41-64
ISSN
  • 0967-067X (ISSN-L)
  • 1873-6920
DOI
10.1016/j.postcomstud.2009.02.001
OpenAlex
W2168256840
Cited by
104
References
6
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 24 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 3
FWCI
4.51
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Communist and Post-Communist Studies (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • UvA-DARE (University of Amsterdam) (publishedVersion)
  • Warwick Research Archive Portal (University of Warwick) (acceptedVersion)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
Funders
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Demography › Diaspora, migration, transnational identity
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Eastern European Communism and Reforms
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Political Conflict and Governance
Keywords
diaspora, democratization, post-communist transition, nationalism, sovereignty, Ukrainian diaspora, Serbian diaspora, Albanian diaspora, Armenian diaspora, democratic procedures, international pressure, transnational activism

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