Diasporas' Trans-state Networks

It is no surprise that two related phenomena that are at the center of our discussion at this stage – ethno-national diasporas and distance-shrinking technologies – are today attracting great attention. Although the world is fully aware of the significance of each of those phenomena, not all observers of the world's affairs are aware that they are interconnected phenomena and that to some extent they influence each other in a circular feedback manner (for elaboration of all points made in this section, see Dahan and Sheffer 2001).

The simultaneous developments we have been discussing, such as distance-shrinking technologies, increasing globalization, and increasing diasporism, do not serve only to enhance the peaceful existence and prosperity of all parties involved in or affected by the exchanges between diasporas and other parties. It is quite true that large portions of all communications and resources that diasporas exchange with other actors inside and outside their host states are harmless. Yet the existence of extensive diaspora networks and the various communications and resources that are transferred through them can also lead to tensions and contribute to conflicts involving diasporas, host states, homelands, and other interested parties. Some of those conflicts challenge the sovereignty of host countries, some exacerbate inter-state relationships, and some have even wider regional and global ramifications.

The first question that will be asked here is whether or not the intensive use of distance-shrinking communications systems by diasporas is a recent development. The answer is, of course, negative.