Uncovering Class in Central Asian Diaspora in Russia

Abstract

The diaspora has long been regarded as an empowering, egalitarian community, with its internal inequalities largely overlooked. In particular, little is known about how socioeconomic status affects intradiasporic relations. The current study challenges the romanticised perception of the diaspora by shedding light on its internal class disparities. Focusing on the Central Asian diaspora in Russia, the research demonstrates that diaspora elites may be involved in capitalising on the precarity of vulnerable diasporans. More specifically, Central Asian migrant entrepreneurs have been found to weaponise diaspora solidarity to exploit and subjugate migrant workers.