Navigating a river by its bends. A comparison of Cambodian returnees' contributions to the transformation of Cambodia. Gea D.M.

Transcription

1 Navigating a river by its bends A comparison of Cambodian returnees' contributions to the transformation of Cambodia Gea D.M. Wijers VU University Press, Amsterdam

2 Table of Contents Abstract Acknowledgements Preface i iii Chapter One: Introduction Why study Cambodian returnees? Research questions and theoretical foundations Keyconcepts Institutional entrepreneurial activities Transnational social networks Social capital Historical background Democratization under Sihanouk ( ) Ethnicity in the Cambodian nation Competing Hegemons The Khmer Republic ( ) American Aid Khmer Rouge takeover ( ) Waves of refugees Political and institutional background Repatriation and voluntary return FUNCINPEC and CPP Competing hegemons again Methods Multisited, comparative and embedded case studies Immigrant communities in two localities Informants Data analysis 28

3 1.8 The Research Experience Relevance and Achievements Outline 31 Chapter Two: Engaging Informants In Multisited Research Introduction Literature Review The Research Process Designing the Research People in Places Where to start? Looking for Community Case selection Data analysis Reflection Conclusion 48 Chapter Three: The Reception of Cambodian Refugees in France Introduction Methodology Coming to France Croups of refugees The CPH at Bron Management of the CPH in Bron, Rhone-Alpes region Political Climate in France France as an Immigrant nation French-Cambodian relations and beyond Signs of Solidarity, Public eyes on Cambodia and its 'Mediatization' Conclusion 64

4 Chapter Four: Understanding the Politics of 'Döing Good' Introduction Bringing together " worlds apart" Entrepreneuring development workers or institutional entrepreneurs? Background A history of Cambodian resettlement Arriving in your home country, as a foreigner A mixed reputation A consolidation of political power A hybrid democracy Analysis Conclusion: resolving the paradox of embeddedness 81 Chapter Five: Immigrant Communities as Resources for Emancipation Introduction Methods Immigrant communities Social Networks Refugee resettlement infrastructure Long Beach (CA), USA Lyon, France Cambodian Community Long Beach (CA), the United States Lyon, France Discussion 104 Chapter Six: Navigating a River by its Bends "Life is like a log, floating down the river" Methods HO 6.3 Background Hl

5 6.4 Social capital in Immigrant communities: Lyon & Long Beach Lyon, France H Long Beach, California, USA Conflict and Solidarity Social capital upon return: Phnom Penh Returnees in governmental and NGO sectors Remigrant Communities: Conflict and Solidarity Conclusions 122 Chapter Seven: Conclusion Outline A comparison of Cambodians' experiences In Lyon, France In Long Beach (CA), USA Cambodia Returnees as institutional entrepreneurs Research questions, research findings Social capital in (trans)national social networks Transnational social capital in Cambodian communities Institutional entrepreneurial activities Going with the flow? Methodological contributions Final Remarks 139 Summary 141 Samenvatting 147 Resume 153 Glossary 159 Literature 161 Endnotes 189

6 Appendices 197 Appendix A: Participating Organization in the USA and France Appendix B: General Comparison of Informants Appendix C: Characteristics of Key Informants Appendix D: Illustrative Case Studies