States and Their Diasporas
The Case of Armenia Diaspora Relations during the Soviet Period
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Abstract
In assessing the emerging role of diasporas in contemporary international relations, several states have established state structures to engage with their diasporas and develop special policies related to them. This article addresses the creation of such a policy, using the example of Soviet Armenia’s relations with the Armenian diaspora, highlighting the setup of institutions tasked to work with that diaspora, the main directions of this activity, and policy changes regarding the Armenian diaspora. The article demonstrates that by developing connections with the diaspora the Soviet authorities aimed above all to enhance the prestige of the Soviet Union abroad, especially in countries with substantial diasporic Armenian populations. Paradoxically, the ties they forged also facilitated the establishment and growth of institutional relations between the Soviet Republic of Armenia and the Armenian diaspora, leading to a significant increase in, and the pursuit of, activities related to specifically Armenian national and cultural identity.
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| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 955 | 312 | 9 |
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States and Their Diasporas
The Case of Armenia Diaspora Relations during the Soviet Period
In: Diaspora StudiesSearch for other papers by Hratsin Vardanyan in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Mariam Hakobyan in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Abstract
In assessing the emerging role of diasporas in contemporary international relations, several states have established state structures to engage with their diasporas and develop special policies related to them. This article addresses the creation of such a policy, using the example of Soviet Armenia’s relations with the Armenian diaspora, highlighting the setup of institutions tasked to work with that diaspora, the main directions of this activity, and policy changes regarding the Armenian diaspora. The article demonstrates that by developing connections with the diaspora the Soviet authorities aimed above all to enhance the prestige of the Soviet Union abroad, especially in countries with substantial diasporic Armenian populations. Paradoxically, the ties they forged also facilitated the establishment and growth of institutional relations between the Soviet Republic of Armenia and the Armenian diaspora, leading to a significant increase in, and the pursuit of, activities related to specifically Armenian national and cultural identity.
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 955 | 312 | 9 |
| Full Text Views | 40 | 25 | 0 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 89 | 56 | 0 |
