Abstract
This article examines the political engagement and homeland connections of Central European emigrants residing in Western European countries, with a focus on Hungarian and Polish diaspora communities in the United Kingdom and Germany. Drawing on transnational migration theory, we investigate how emigrants maintain political ties with their countries of origin and how these engagements shape both diaspora identity and homeland politics.
Key Findings
The study reveals a complex landscape of diaspora political engagement, ranging from voting in homeland elections and supporting political parties to participating in online political debates and organising cultural events. Diaspora engagement is shaped by the length of residence abroad, the political opportunity structures in host and home countries, and the availability of digital communication technologies. The research also identifies tensions between diaspora communities and homeland populations regarding political legitimacy and representation.
Methodology
The research combines online surveys with 380 Hungarian and Polish emigrants in the UK and Germany with 45 in-depth interviews conducted in person and via video conference. Digital ethnography of diaspora social media groups supplements the primary data collection.
Implications
The findings contribute to understanding how migration and digital connectivity are reshaping the boundaries of political community and democratic participation in contemporary Europe.
