Global Diasporas

Following its initial publication in 1997, Global Diasporas: An Introduction was central to the emergence of diaspora studies and quickly established itself as the leading textbook in the field. This expanded and fully-revised 25th anniversary edition adds two new chapters on incipient diasporas and diaspora engagement while carefully clarifying the changing meanings of the concept of diaspora and incorporating updated statistics and new interpretations seamlessly into the original text. The book has also been made more student-friendly with illustrations, thought-provoking questions, and guides to further reading.

The book features insightful case studies and compares a wide range of diasporas, including Jewish, Armenian, African, Sikh, Chinese, British, Indian, Lebanese, Afghan and Caribbean peoples. This edition also retains Cohen’s rich historical and sociological descriptions and clear yet elegant writing, as well as his modified concept of ‘diasporic rope’ linking different features of diasporas.

This updated edition of the definitive textbook in the field will be an indispensable guide for students and instructors seeking to explore the complex issues of diaspora, migration and identity.

“Praise for Previous Editions Cohen's erudition is vast ... his interpretations are solid and well informed. By and large one can only marvel at the scope of Cohen's learning and the richness of his vocabulary. Mark J. Miller, University of Delaware, USA, Journal of World History Cohen's book offers a timely overview of diasporas. The book is also engagingly written, with Cohen's personal anecdotes adding zing rather than self-indulgence to the analysis. Robert C. Smith, Columbia University, USA, Political Studies Quarterly A succinct but satisfying book ... as Cohen convincingly demonstrates here, the diaspora wave is well and truly upon us. Sarah Ansari, Royal Holloway, University of London, UK, Times Higher Educational Supplement Robin Cohen's delineation of common features associated with diaspora, and his proposition of 'ideal types', are important conceptual tools for use in systematic theorizing and research about diaspora, no matter the geographic location. Jualynne E. Dodson, Michigan State University, USA, Athens Journal of Social Sciences”

Praise for Previous Editions

Cohen’s erudition is vast … his interpretations are solid and well informed. By and large one can only marvel at the scope of Cohen’s learning and the richness of his vocabulary.

Mark J. Miller, University of Delaware, USA, Journal of World History

Cohen’s book offers a timely overview of diasporas. The book is also engagingly written, with Cohen’s personal anecdotes adding zing rather than self-indulgence to the analysis.

Robert C. Smith, Columbia University, USA, Political Studies Quarterly

A succinct but satisfying book … as Cohen convincingly demonstrates here, the diaspora wave is well and truly upon us.

Sarah Ansari, Royal Holloway, University of London, UK, Times Higher Educational Supplement

Robin Cohen’s delineation of common features associated with diaspora, and his proposition of ‘ideal types’, are important conceptual tools for use in systematic theorizing and research about diaspora, no matter the geographic location.

Jualynne E. Dodson, Michigan State University, USA, Athens Journal of Social Sciences

Robin Cohen is Emeritus Professor of Development Studies at the University of Oxford, UK. He has published widely on migration, globalization, social identity and diasporas. He is the author of numerous books, most recently Refugia: Radical Solutions to Mass Displacement (with Nicholas Van Hear, Routledge, 2019), Migration: The Movement of Humankind from Prehistory to the Present (Andre Deutsch, 2019), and Encountering Difference: Diasporic Traces, Creolizing Spaces (with Olivia Sheringham, Polity Press, 2016). He is also editor of several volumes, including the Routledge Handbook of Diaspora Studies (with Carolin Fischer, Routledge, 2018) and The Cambridge Survey of World Migration (Cambridge University Press, 2010).

Following its initial publication in 1997, Global Diasporas: An Introduction was central to the emergence of diaspora studies and quickly established itself as the leading textbook in the field. This expanded and fully-revised 25th anniversary edition adds two new chapters on incipient diasporas and diaspora engagement while carefully clarifying the changing meanings of the concept of diaspora and incorporating updated statistics and new interpretations seamlessly into the original text. The book has also been made more student-friendly with illustrations, thought-provoking questions, and guides to further reading. The book features insightful case studies and compares a wide range of diasporas, including Jewish, Armenians, Africans, Sikhs, Chinese, British, Indians, Lebanese, Afghans and Caribbean peoples. This edition also retains Cohen's rich historical and sociological descriptions and clear yet elegant writing, as well as his modified concept of 'diasporic rope' linking different features of diasporas. This updated edition of the definitive textbook in the field will be an indispensable guide for students and instructors seeking to explore the complex issues of diaspora, migration, and identity.

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