The "refugee" label has been politicised and is often misconstrued by various actors to advance their positions at the expense of the rights and autonomy of the refugees themselves. Zetter (2007) avers that the refugee label has been politicised by the reproduction of institutional fractioning and by embedding the wider political discourse of resistance to migrants and refugees. This paper posits that refugees are rational actors who possess a sense of agency and should have their own autonomy.
They should not be continuously subjected to the dependency syndrome that typifies them as defenceless and defines processes of humanitarian intervention without giving them due recognition. The paper will initially analyse how the refugee discourse treats refugees as needing salvation. It also theoretically analyses the frameworks in the doctrine of refugees by critically assessing the politicization of the refugees discourse. Secondly the paper will draw in case studies showing how the refugees possess agency. The paper will then conclude by outlining the advantages of viewing refugees as rational beings with the ability to determine their paths for survival and contribute to socioeconomic growth.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
1.1 Definition of key terms
1.1.1 Bottom-up Approach
1.1.2 Sphere project
1.1.3 Refugee
2 Theoretical framework
2.1 Structuration theory
2.2 Labelling theory
2.3 Dramaturgical theory
3 Refugees as defenceless
3.1 Immigration detention centres
3.2 Media images
3.3 Statistical inaccuracies
3.4 Humanitarian aid
4 Refugees as rational actors
4.1 Women`s embroidery workshops
4.2 Redefining gender identities
4.3 Refugees as economic drivers
4.4 Education as empowerment
4.5 Financial remittances
4.6 I am an immigrant campaign
5 Conclusion
Research Objectives and Key Topics
This paper examines the politicized discourse surrounding refugees, arguing against the prevalent "dependency syndrome" that labels them solely as defenceless objects in need of salvation. The primary objective is to challenge this narrative by demonstrating that refugees are rational actors with agency, capable of self-determination, contributing to economic growth, and managing complex social roles.
- The critique of humanitarian intervention models that prioritize external institutional interests over refugee autonomy.
- Application of the structure-agency theory and Goffman’s dramaturgical analysis to refugee life.
- Deconstruction of negative media portrayals and the statistical problematic in defining refugee numbers.
- Evidence of refugee resilience through economic participation, educational empowerment, and financial remittances.
- The importance of shifting paradigms from a "needy" model to one that recognizes refugee agency and socioeconomic contribution.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1.1 Bottom-up Approach
This is a process whereby local actors participate in decision making about the strategy and in the selection of the priorities to be pursued in their local area Chambers (1991). Programs are tailor made to adapt to the needs of the communities they serve. This practice is significant in refugees’ studies because it is the most efficient way of addressing humanitarian situations by accounting for the existing local social institutions in a given area, such as the culture, traditions, education and general way of life. Humanitarian assistance programmes for refugees should not seek to impose external practices or ideas but rather to complement existing norms and values by involving the local chiefs, government and locals in decision making.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: Introduces the research problem regarding the politicization of the refugee label and outlines the paper's goal to redefine refugees as rational actors.
2 Theoretical framework: Establishes the academic foundation using structure-agency theory and Goffman's dramaturgical analysis to explain refugee behavior.
3 Refugees as defenceless: Analyzes the negative impacts of institutional and media discourses that reduce refugees to vulnerable subjects requiring external intervention.
4 Refugees as rational actors: Provides empirical evidence of refugee agency through case studies on economic activities, gender role redefinition, and remittance patterns.
5 Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings, arguing for a paradigm shift in how international bodies and governments engage with refugee populations.
Keywords
Refugee, Agency, Humanitarian aid, Dependency syndrome, Structure-agency theory, Dramaturgical analysis, Social integration, Socioeconomic growth, Remittances, Gender roles, Politicization, Self-determination, Empowerment, Immigration, Humanitarian intervention
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this publication?
The paper critiques the mainstream humanitarian discourse that depicts refugees as passive, defenceless objects, arguing instead that they possess agency and rationality.
What are the primary thematic areas addressed?
The themes include the sociopolitical labelling of refugees, the impact of humanitarian aid models, the role of media representation, and the active economic and social contributions refugees make to their host societies.
What is the central research question?
The research explores how the refugee discourse can be shifted from viewing refugees as objects needing salvation to recognizing them as rational actors capable of independent survival and development.
Which scientific methods are utilized in this paper?
The work employs a theoretical framework approach, specifically utilizing structure-agency theory and Goffman’s dramaturgical analysis to interpret refugee social interactions and decision-making processes.
What topics are covered in the main section of the paper?
The main section covers the theoretical underpinnings of refugee status, an analysis of why refugees are portrayed as defenceless, and various case studies demonstrating refugee agency through workshops, education, and financial activity.
Which keywords best describe this research?
Key terms include refugee agency, humanitarian intervention, socioeconomic contribution, labelling theory, and self-determination.
How does the "Bottom-up Approach" relate to refugee assistance?
It advocates for involving local actors and existing social institutions in humanitarian decision-making to ensure that aid programs are tailor-made rather than externally imposed.
What is the significance of the "I am an immigrant campaign" discussed in the paper?
The campaign serves as a contemporary example of efforts to challenge the notion that refugees are a burden, highlighting their positive role in socio-economic growth.
Why is the definition of a "refugee" considered problematic in the text?
The text notes that the current definition is often politicized and lacks consensus, leading to overlapping terminology that fails to reflect the heterogeneous nature of refugee groups.
What conclusion does the author draw regarding humanitarian agencies?
The author concludes that by failing to account for refugee agency, humanitarian agencies often perpetuate a cycle of dependency, indicating an urgent need for a paradigm shift.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Tafadzwa Chivanga (Autor:in), 2015, Discuss the refugee discourse and the politics of salvation, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/353654
