This remarkable book succeeds in opening the 'black box' of political diaspora engagement. Drawing from rich case studies, Burgess demonstrates that diaspora engagement is not a one-way process but rather consists of continuous 'feedback loops' through which competing interests and identities are negotiated. This innovative approach makes Courting Migrants an important and timely contribution to the still emerging research field of migration and democracy-building.
Katrina Burgess is Associate Professor of Political Economy at Tufts University's Fletcher School.