The political implications of migration : a study of the British Sikh community

This study is concerned with the political consequences of international migration It considers that such migration is influenced by the behaviour of states and has various implications for relations between them. It is particularly concerned to analyse the role of immigrant communities or diasporas in international relations, and does this through a case study of the British Sikh Community.

In the first part, the existing literature on migration and immigrant communities is reviewed, providing an understanding of both the process and the experience, while seeking out its political aspects. Next, a more explicitly political analysis of international migration is carried out. This explores how states use international migration as an instrument of policy and how they are influenced by the phenomena in the conduct of their external relations. The focus of this analysis is brought to a consideration of the political role and impact of diasporas on their home country, their host country and on relations between the two.

In the second part, the case study tries to analyse the experience of the British Sikh community in the context outlined above. It starts with a historical overview of the Sikhs, before focussing on their migrant experiences in the UK, elucidating on how they have evolved as a community with strong internal organization and networks. An analysis of the Punjab problem is carried out, before returning to examine the impact of Punjabi events on the British Sikh community and vice-versa. This describes and analyses the political configurations within, and ambitions of, British Sikh political activity, and the ways in which they have been able to play a role in Punjabi politics. Finally an examination of the impact of British Sikh political activity on the relationship between their host and home countries, Britain and India, is carried out.