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Conditions for a Successful Relationship between Diaspora and State

Sam Vaknin, Ph.D. - 5/15/2011

Conditions for a Successful Relationship between Diaspora and State

For a mutually-beneficial and long-term relationship between Diaspora and state to exist and develop, there are a few preconditions:

1. That the center (the state) and the Diaspora share a strong, cohesive sense of national identity based on common and universally-accepted language, culture, and history and on a shared ethos and myth of the formation and propagation of the Nation;

2. That there is a clear, territorially-bounded, and uncontested heartland or mother land which constitutes, for all intents and purposes, the center of gravity, yearning, and investments both economic and emotional of all the members of the Nation in and out of that territory;

3. That the government in the Motherland and, indeed, the state regard the Diaspora as an equal partner in decision-making, identity-formation, and ultimate integration of the Nation and an inseparable and critical part of the Nation’s future well-being and prosperity;

4. That all the successive governments in the Motherland are committed to a national strategy and to concrete steps to integrate the Diaspora in the political and economic processes in the state.

The following steps are considered to be the "minimum package" in the strengthening of relationships between countries of origin and national Diasporas:

1. The granting to the Diaspora of unlimited or, at the very least, restricted voting rights in the Motherland (e.g., Macedonia);

2. The institutionalized involvement of political structures representing the Diaspora in the politics of the Motherland (e.g., Israel) and vice versa (for instance, the Jewish Congress and the Jewish Agency);



3. Holding common sports events (e.g., the Maccabia or Maccabead Games as a Jewish Olympiad with participants from all over the world); the exchange and transfer of students and professionals between the Diaspora and the Motherland;



4. The establishment of a fund for the purchase of land, the restoration of national treasures to the Motherland, reforestation and preservation of nationally or historically significant sites (e.g., the Jewish Keren Hayesod and Keren Kayemet le-Israel);



5. The solicitation of donations, scholarships, and sponsorships from wealthy individuals in the Diaspora;



6. Emphasis on cultural activities and the promotion of the national language (e.g., various Francophone activities by France);



7. Selling bonds and stocks exclusively to the Diaspora (e.g., the Israeli and Irish Bonds) and the creation of various investment funds and vehicles to encourage greater economic involvement of the Diaspora in the Motherland;



8. Leveraging the nation's common history, religious affiliation, and cultural roots to further national cohesion and political lobbying and support;



9. Encouraging remittances with the implementation of a special, lenient tax regime, the issuance of remittance-bonds, and by providing foreign investors with tax holidays, one-stop-shop facilities, business incubators, and direct access to decision makers;

10. Fostering knowledge-based networks of local and foreign (Diaspora-based exapts) businessmen, scientists, and experts; forming migrant associations to share contacts and business opportunities and otherwise socially network; encouraging returning citizens and providing them with tax concessions, loans, and employment opportunities (e.g., Israel, China, Venezuela, Uruguay, Ethiopia).