Diaspora and Soft Power

This book, based on in-depth field interviews, takes a fresh look at the phenomenon of diaspora communities exercising ‘soft power’ in the context of the Indian American diaspora in the US. By using an interdisciplinary approach, it marks a departure from the traditional study that measures the effectiveness of soft power sources by their popularity. Instead, it acknowledges the matrix of socio-economic and political factors, both internationally and domestically, which contribute towards the evolution of diaspora as a source of soft power. It focuses on how demography, policies and structural changes led to the evolution of an Indian American networking/strategic elite class. Exploring their participation in political fundraising and subsequent penetration into US foreign policymaking circles, this book analyses the foreign policy-related advocacy campaigns carried out by them and contributes to diaspora studies, foreign policy, international relations and political science.

Eva Loreng is Assistant Professor at the School of International Studies, Central University of Gujarat, India. She extensively researched the participation of Indian Americans in the political systems of both India and the US and is also interested in Indian American food culture in the US, as well as the culture and traditions of the Sidis, an African origin community in India.