Diasporic Condition: Ethnographic Explorations of the Lebanese in the World

Transnationality and its cultural consequences are not necessarily at odds with classic theory, as illustrated by Ghassan Hage's The Diasporic Condition. He defines a common cultural milieu that transcends spatial and temporal distance, encompassing a complicated transnational terrain. Hage's long-term ethnography takes us from Mehj and Jalleh in Lebanon to Europe, Australia, South America, and North America, analyzing how Lebanese migrants and their families have established themselves while remaining socially, economically, and politically related to Lebanon and each other. The book explores how the study of a particular sociocultural phenomenon expands our knowledge of modes of existing in the world.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 10 December 2021
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

Bridging the gap between migration studies and the anthropological tradition, Ghassan Hage illustrates that transnationality and its attendant cultural consequences are not necessarily at odds with classic theory. In The Diasporic Condition, Ghassan Hage engages with the diasporic Lebanese community as a shared lifeworld, defining a common cultural milieu that transcends spatial and temporal distance—a collective mode of being here termed the "diasporic condition." Encompassing a complicated transnational terrain, Hage's long-term ethnography takes us from Mehj and Jalleh in Lebanon to Europe, Australia, South America, and North America, analyzing how Lebanese migrants and their families have established themselves in their new homes while remaining socially, economically, and politically related to Lebanon and to each other.

At the heart of The Diasporic Condition lies a critical anthropological question: How does the study of a particular sociocultural phenomenon expand our knowledge of modes of existing in the world? As Hage establishes what he terms the "lenticular condition," he breaks down the boundaries between "us" and "them," "here" and "there," showing that this convergent mode of existence increasingly defines everyone's everyday life.

Through his meticulous research, Hage reveals how the diasporic condition shapes individuals and communities, creating a sense of belonging and connection across vast distances. He explores the complexities of identity formation, cultural adaptation, and the negotiation of multiple worlds, highlighting the resilience and adaptability of the Lebanese diaspora.

The Diasporic Condition is a groundbreaking work that challenges traditional notions of migration and identity. It offers a rich and nuanced understanding of the transnational experiences of individuals and communities, shedding light on the complexities of global interconnectedness and the enduring power of culture. This book will be of interest to scholars and students in anthropology, sociology, geography, and related fields, as well as anyone with an interest in the dynamics of migration and cultural change.

Weight: 360g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226547060