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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:The political participation of the U.S.-based Liberian diaspora and its implication for peace building
Author:Antwi-Boateng, OsmanISNI
Year:2011
Periodical:Africa Today (ISSN 1527-1978)
Volume:58
Issue:1
Pages:3-26
Language:English
Geographic terms:Liberia
United States
Subjects:diasporas
Liberians
peacebuilding
political participation
External link:http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/africa_today/v058/58.1.antwi-boateng.pdf
Abstract:The political participation of the U.S.-based Liberian diaspora represents an archetypical case in the debate about the role of the diaspora as conflict drivers and peacemakers. This is because the U.S.-based diaspora supported armed rebellion against the Doe and Taylor regimes. However, the postwar democratic transition in Liberia has offered the U.S.-based Liberian diaspora the space to be active political participants which has serious implications for peacebuilding. The political participation of the U.S.-based diaspora does not guarantee a benign outcome; nevertheless, noncontentious political activities aimed at lobbying host-country support for peacebuilding, building rational legal institutions, and financially supporting moderate political parties instead of belligerent homeland forces bode well for peacebuilding. In contrast, contentious politics that pitch diaspora Liberians against home-based Liberians over the issue of dual nationality, perceived diaspora dominance in public office, and diaspora corruption are counterproductive to peacebuilding. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract]
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