The Domestic Abroad: Diasporas in International Relations

255 Pages·2010·1.34 MB·English

by  Latha Varadarajan

The Domestic Abroad
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The Domestic Abroad
Diasporas in International Relations
Latha Varadarajan
1
2010
1
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Copyright © 2010 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Varadarajan, Latha.
The domestic abroad: diasporas in international relations / Latha Varadarajan.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-19-973391-0
1. Transnationalism—Social aspects—Developing countries. 2. Dual nationality—
Developing countries. 3. Developing countries—Emigration and immigration.
4. Developing countries—Foreign relations. I. Title.
JV9480.V37 2010
305.9'06912—dc22 2009046214
9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Printed in the United States of America
on acid-free paper
Acknowledgments
This book has been in the works for a good decade. During this period, I have
met, studied with, and learned from a large number of people, all of whom con-
tributed in myriad ways to its making. While they may not all agree with the
paths taken and the arguments made, I am truly grateful for their support and
encouragement through the process.
I fi rst met Bud Duvall as a student at the University of Minnesota. As a scholar,
teacher, mentor, and critical interlocutor, Bud has few equals. His intellectual
curiosity, generosity of spirit, and constant willingness to engage with ideas have
always been and continue to be a source of inspiration. Mary Dietz taught me to
fi nd the “theorist in myself,” and challenged me to go beyond taking the easy
route. Though I fl inch when I think about how I must have sounded in my early
verbal and written conversations with her, I take consolation in the fact that over
the years, I might have at least started learning the lessons she hoped to teach me.
In her fair mindedness and consistently generous support through the years,
Kathryn Sikkink has been a true role model. For that, I thank her. The University
of Minnesota was, for me, a wonderful and intellectually stimulating place. It was
made so by the presence of a group of people, some of whom remain close
friends. For conversations about this project that challenged me, frustrated me,
forced me to learn, and stayed with me over the years, I would like to thank
Shampa Biswas, Bruce Braun, Arjun Chowdhury, Jigna Desai, Deepali Dewan,
Lisa Disch, Boğaç Erozan, Giunia Gatta, Jim Glassman, Guang Lei, Ayten
Gündoğdu, Leila Harris, Premesh Lalu, Humaira Mahi, Monika Mehta, Kristin
vi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Mercer, Himadeep Muppidi, Richa Nagar, Govind Nayak, Meghana Nayak,
Kartik Raj, Amit Ron, Bahar Rumelili, Ajay Skaria, Mary Thomas, Ann Towns,
Uygar Özesmi, and Joel Wainwright.
T he research and writing of this book would not have been possible but for
the institutional support I received through the years at the University of
Minnesota and San Diego State University. At Minnesota, the MacArthur
Program and Ames Library were in many ways a home away from home, in large
measure due to the generosity of David Faust, Allen Isaacman, Don Johnson, Jim
Johnson, Claudia Shores Skue, and Karen Brown Thompson. Fellowships from
the political science department and the Humanities Institute helped at critical
junctures. At San Diego State, course releases made possible through the RSCA
and Critical Thinking grants provided the much needed time to make fi nal revi-
sions. In addition, the Junior Fellowship grant from the American Institute of
Indian Studies enabled me to spend a year in India, conducting interviews and
archival research. I thank all the people in Delhi, Madras, and Hyderabad who
generously shared their knowledge with me, making the whole process far easier
than I expected. I also wish to acknowledge the helpful assistance of the staff at
FICCI, the Ministry of External Affairs Library, and the Nehru Memorial
Library.
M y colleagues in the political science department at San Diego State have
been remarkably supportive and helpful during the process of turning out a pub-
lishable manuscript. I would like to thank in particular Farid Abdel Nour,
Jonathan Graubart, Kristen Hill Maher, and Ronnee Schreiber for their invalu-
able input as well as for proving that it is possible to be friends with your col-
leagues. As the manuscript made its way toward its fi nal form, it benefi ted
tremendously from the generous critique of Laurie Brand and two other anony-
mous reviewers. At Oxford University Press, Angela Chnapko and her wonderful
team, particularly Liz Smith, have worked tirelessly to make the production pro-
cess as smooth as possible. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work
with them.
T he writing of a book can be an arduous journey, especially for those who are
forced to hear about every twist and turn in the path, time and time again. For
always listening and never giving in to what must have been a very real urge to
either fall asleep or slam the phone down, I wish to express my thanks and prom-
ises for eventual repayment to Anna Maria Addari, Madhavi Bokil, Prachi
Deshpande, Sujatha Korappath, Bakirathi Mani, Gowri Ramesh, Aniruddh
Ramesh, Ramesh Santhanam, Anjana Tandon, Anand Varadarajan, Gianni
Verrucci, and Kim Zabora. To my parents, who watched the process with increas-
ing bemusement and unwavering belief in its eventual completion, I can never
fully express my gratitude. The fact that I could count on their support in this, as
in every other journey, is something that I am profoundly grateful for.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS vii
To fi nd a person who embodies a peculiar combination of intellectual rigor,
scathing wit, mule-headedness, and generosity is, perhaps, a matter of luck. I am
fortunate to have found that person in Emanuele, who has been a true partner
every step of the way. Appearances notwithstanding, his passionate and heartfelt
belief in a better future has inspired me and challenged me in ways I had not even
imagined and made this book a far better one than it would have been. I dedicate
this book to him and to Amma and Appa who never stopped asking when it
would be completed.
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Contents
1. Introducing the Domestic Abroad 3
2. Reimagined Nations and Restructured States:
Explaining the Domestic Abroad 22
3. Putting the Diaspora in Its Place: From Colonial
Transnationalism to Postcolonial Nationalism 51
4. The Making and Unmaking of Hegemony:
Indian Capitalism from Swadeshi to Swraj 78
5. From Indians Abroad to the Global Indian 107
Conclusion 142
Appendix 157
Notes 161
Bibliography 219
Index 235