Option theme 5: Migration and membership: the politics of its meaning

In this theme, students consider the political impacts of the movement of people on the countries of origin and countries of destination. Students explore how diaspora politics shapes international politics and the relationships between countries. Students review the changing nature, increasing importance, and impact in a range of specific locations, with a focus on the electoral demography and policies of the political parties in Australia.

The four inquiry questions are:

1. To what extent does diaspora politics exist?
2. Why is diaspora politics continually changing?
3. To what extent has diaspora politics shaped international politics?
4. How has diaspora politics shaped Australian politics?

In addressing inquiry question 1: ‘To what extent does diaspora politics exist?’, students may consider:

• the definition of diaspora politics
• the changing nature of diaspora politics
• implications of the impact of diaspora politics
• a case study of early examples of the diaspora and its evolution.

Students may investigate some of the implications of the transnational nature of diaspora politics, and consider these in an era of globalisation and evolving cultural identities in postmodern societies. In addition, they reflect on the identifiable and subtle impacts that diaspora has on a diverse range of global locations. Students reflect on the origin of the term and on historically relevant examples that have had a lasting impact on global politics. They also continue to explore the modern interpretations of diaspora through the lens of the contemporary experience of the people.

In addressing inquiry question 2: ‘Why is diaspora politics continually changing?’, students may consider:

• dissemination of information through technology
• the ease of human mobility
• global economic interdependence
• societal integration.

Students consider the view that the movement of a skilled migrant workforce facilitates the adoption of foreign technologies and economic growth in the country of origin, in a range of areas including remittances. Students assess the impact of the ease of human mobility on the accelerating pace of migration. They analyse the disputed concept that the receiving country benefits through the diversity and dissemination of cultures, while acknowledging the difficulties that potential racism causes for social integration.

In addressing inquiry question 3: ‘To what extent has diaspora politics shaped international politics?’, students may consider:

• the impact of the diaspora on the politics of the country of origin
• the influence of the diaspora on the politics of the country of destination
• contrasting political strategies for managing international migration
• case studies.

Students may consider the impact of the movement of people within their home countries and abroad. Using specific case studies, students investigate the two‑way transfer of knowledge and finances. They investigate examples of the political management of people moving between countries, and compare government policies that encourage or discourage migration. Students reflect on the narrow and broad consequences of migration, from the family to the development of global networks.

In addressing inquiry question 4: ‘How has diaspora politics shaped Australian politics?’, students may consider:

• examples of diaspora in Australia
• the electoral impact of changing demographies
• economic and industrial policy
• foreign and immigration policy.

Students may consider the diversity of impacts that diaspora politics brings to Australian politics, and the implications of diaspora politics on the major and minor parties. Students reflect on the impacts of diaspora politics on specific national, regional, and international policies that are adopted or altered to accommodate changing and numerically significant demographics. Students consider the regional impacts of concentrated pockets of specific groups, and consider the comparative impacts in urban and rural areas of this cohort. They investigate how various government policies attract or repel different groups.