Väliskogukonnapoliitika kujunemise mehhanismid Šveitsi ja Austria näitel

Lühikokkuvõte

Diaspora Policies and Policy-Making: The Cases of Austria and Switzerland

Abstract

The aim of the article is to analyze how the political arena influences diaspora and transnationalism policy-making. For this purpose, the structure and activities of diasporas and domestic political processes are thoroughly scrutinized. The empirical dimension focuses on the case studies of Austria and Switzerland by employing a ‘Most Similar Systems Design’ and draws parallels to the case of Estonia. The theoretical base of the article rests upon classical and contemporary approaches to diaspora and transnationalism, as well as different approaches exploring the relationship between politics and policy. As a research method, a mixed-methods approach is pursued. The results indicate that the otherwise similar cases of Austria and Switzerland differ noticeably in terms of the development of transnationalism policies. It is indicated that on the one hand, the size of the emigrant community and its structure, as well as the organization of its interests, its political rights and electoral behavior affect diaspora policies. On the other hand, domestic political factors, such as party competition, public opinion and debates concerning emigrant communities and transformations regarding the employed paradigm of governance, play a crucial role as well. It can be emphasized that these factors are to a great extent interrelated.

Keywords: diaspora, diaspora policy, transnationalism, Austria, Switzerland.

Märksõnad: väliskogukonnad, väliskogukonnapoliitika, hargmaisus, Austria, Šveits.