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.

Chapter 1 - Introduction. - Chapter 2 - Diaspora, Soft Power, and Foreign Policy. - Chapter 3 - Indian Americans in the Colonial Era. - Chapter 4 - The Cold War Years and the Indian Americans. - Chapter 5 - Post-Cold War: The Changes in Global Order and Policies. - Chapter 6 - Post-Cold War: The Transitions in the Indian American Community. - Chapter 7 - The Prelude. - Chapter 8 - The Nuclear Deal. - Chapter 9 - The Road Ahead.