This essay discusses and analyses briefly the theory by Benedict Anderson of "imagined communities" and the theory of "scapes" by Arjun Appadurai. After that, these theories by Anderson and Appadurai will be applied to the Colombian Diasporas in Ecuador and United States of America. Finally, the conclusion of this essay will display a summary of how Colombian Diasporas have created their own identity according to Anderson and Appadurai theories.
Nowadays, there are many Diasporas scattered around the world. All of them have their own identity, culture and thoughts. It could be said that Diasporas have been formed by migration of tourists, refugees, expatriates, occasional workers, communities and overseas exile. Although Diasporas differ in culture, beliefs, background and thoughts, all have things in common such as a clear vision of their homeland, their feeling of belongingness to their homeland, their hopefulness to return to their country and their willingness of keeping their cultures and traditions. Due to those reasons, diaspora communities create their own identity which distinguishes them from other Diasporas. But the question is, why diaspora communities create their own identity abroad. Could the ideas of Benedict Anderson and Arjun Appadurai provide a clear explanation of this issue?
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Theoretical Framework
2.1. Anderson and Imagined Communities
2.2. Appadurai and the Theory of Scapes
3. Diaspora Case Studies
3.1. The Afro-Colombian Diaspora
3.2. Colombian Diaspora in Ecuador
3.3. Colombian Diaspora in the United States
4. Conclusion
Objectives and Research Themes
This essay aims to analyze how diaspora communities construct their own identities while living abroad, utilizing the theoretical lenses provided by Benedict Anderson and Arjun Appadurai. The research evaluates how these theoretical frameworks apply to Colombian migration patterns in Ecuador and the United States.
- The conceptual evolution of the term "Diaspora."
- Application of Benedict Anderson’s "Imagined Communities" theory.
- Exploration of Arjun Appadurai’s "Scapes" within global culture.
- Socio-political context of the Colombian internal conflict and migration.
- Comparison of identity maintenance between Ecuadorian and U.S.-based Colombian communities.
Excerpt from the Book
Application of the theory of “imagined communities” to the Colombian Diasporas in Ecuador and United States of America
It could be said that Diasporas have been formed by migration of tourists, refugees, expatriates, occasional workers, communities and overseas exile. Although Diasporas differ in culture, beliefs, background and thoughts, all have things in common such as a clear vision of their homeland, their feeling of belongingness to their homeland, their hopefulness to return to their country and their willingness of keeping their cultures and traditions (Lie, 2002). Due to those reasons, diaspora communities create their own identity which distinguishes them from other Diasporas (Bauböck & Faist, 2010). But, the question is, why diaspora communities create their own identity abroad? Could the ideas of Benedict Anderson and Arjun Appadurai provide a clear explanation of this issue? This essay will discuss and analyse briefly the theory by Benedict Anderson of "imagined communities" and the theory of “scapes” by Arjun Appadurai. After that, these theories by Anderson and Appadurai will be applied to the Colombian Diasporas in Ecuador and United States of America. Finally, the conclusion of this essay will display a summary of how Colombian Diasporas have created their own identity according to Anderson and Appadurai theories.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This chapter defines the historical and contemporary meaning of the term "diaspora" and outlines the core research question regarding identity formation through the theories of Anderson and Appadurai.
2. Theoretical Framework: This section details Anderson's concept of the "imagined community" and Appadurai’s "five scapes," establishing the intellectual basis for the subsequent analysis.
3. Diaspora Case Studies: This central section applies the established theories to the Afro-Colombian context, as well as the migration experiences of Colombians in Ecuador and the United States, highlighting social and cultural survival strategies.
4. Conclusion: The final chapter synthesizes the findings, confirming that despite geographical separation and varied lifestyles, Colombian migrants consistently maintain a nationalist identity rooted in "imagined" connections to their homeland.
Keywords
Diaspora, Imagined Communities, Scapes, Identity, Colombia, Ecuador, United States, Nationalism, Migration, Culture, Belonging, Afro-Colombians, Globalisation, Political Asylum, Social Networks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this academic paper?
The paper explores how diaspora groups maintain and construct specific cultural identities while living outside their home countries by applying sociological theories of community and global culture.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
The core themes include the definition of nationhood, the role of imagination in community formation, the impact of global "scapes" on migrant populations, and the socio-political drivers of Colombian migration.
What is the primary objective of this research?
The goal is to demonstrate that Benedict Anderson’s theory of "imagined communities" and Arjun Appadurai’s "scapes" successfully explain the identity maintenance strategies of the Colombian diaspora.
Which scientific methods were employed?
The research uses a qualitative theoretical approach, combining historical and sociological analysis to apply existing academic frameworks to contemporary migration data and case studies.
What content is covered in the main body of the text?
The main body examines the specific migration paths of Colombians to Ecuador and the U.S., contrasting the discrimination faced in Ecuador with the established social networks found in Florida.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Key terms include Diaspora, Imagined Communities, Nationalism, Colombian migration, Identity formation, and Appadurai’s Scapes.
How does the author characterize the situation of Colombian migrants in Ecuador?
The author describes a difficult situation marked by discrimination, social prejudice, and systemic economic exclusion, which ironically strengthens the migrants' collective identity as Colombians.
In what way does the U.S. diaspora experience differ from the Ecuadorian one?
While the U.S. diaspora experiences a generally higher standard of living, both groups display similar tendencies to maintain their original national identity, proving that economic comfort does not necessarily dissolve the "imagined" tie to the homeland.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Alfredo Lopez (Autor:in), 2016, Application of Andersons theory of "imagined communities" to the Colombian Diasporas in Ecuador and United States of America, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/470305
