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ABSTRACT
Much of the literature on diaspora policy frameworks assumes states are monolithic, with exclusively centralised decision-making and political and administrative capacity spread across decentralised units. Yet, decentralised units of government do engage directly with diasporas; and many countries seeking to engage their diasporas suffer from limited capacity and reach to jurisdictions far from their capitals. In weak governing structures, diaspora policy is likely to be less formal, and ad hoc. The Coptic Orthodox Church in Egypt is the de facto public service provider to Coptic communities in Egypt. Like the Egyptian state, it suffers from limited control of its decentralised dioceses. The Church's implicit and decentralised diaspora policy demonstrates the complexity and benefits of multipolar diaspora engagement. It offers a menu of options that may maximise the deepening of diaspora identity and the material contributions diasporas make in the country of origin, and the sustenance of both. The analysis supports a political economy, and especially governmentality, explanation for differences in diaspora policy.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.
Notes
1. At the time the research was conducted, the Church was led by Pope Shenouda III (deceased 17 March 2012).
2. Central Church interviews include Bishop Youannes, Bishopric for Public, Ecumenical, and Social Services (BLESS) and Secretary to Pope Shenouda III; and Bishop Moussa, Bishop for Youth. Other bishops and priests interviewed in Egypt include Bishop Picenty of the Diocese of Helwan and Al Maasara, Father Dawoud of St. Mark's Church in Cairo, Father Botros of Sheba, and Father Sherobim of El-Barsha. Bishops from diaspora include Bishop Serapion of the Diocese of Los Angeles, Southern California, and Hawaii (and former Bishop for BLESS), and Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the United Kingdom.
3. The resulting sample of 1570 respondents is primarily US-based (71%).
4. Failed State Index and State Weakness rankings are relative; movement over time may reflect comparative progress or worsening in other low-ranking countries.
5. For a review of the state of the Church upon Pope Shenouda's ascension to leadership, see Brinkerhoff (Citation2016).
6. The Coptic Orthodox Church Network (http://www.copticchurch.net) listed 165 (180 in 2016) churches; a voluntary online registry (http://directory.nihov.org/) listed 174 (249 in 2016).
7. This discussion draws from Brinkerhoff (Citation2016).