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The ethics of exile : the normative grounds of exile politics

In this dissertation, I identify the normative grounds of exile involvement in homeland politics to determine whether and when exile activism is morally permissible, required, and legitimate. I draw on case studies throughout the thesis, and especially from the fo Iowing three exile communities: Iranians, Sri Lankan Tamils, and Tibetans. In Part I, I argue that exiles may be entitled to participate in and influence homeland politics. I consider two grounds: first, that exiles are stakeholders whose interests are affected by political developments in the homeland, and who are therefore entitled to some say in those developments; and second, that exiles are the representatives of silenced or otherwise marginalized groups in the homeland. I identify the conditions under which exiles can legitimately claim each of these grounds and the challenges they face in satisfying these conditions. In Part Il, I turn to the question of whether exiles are subject to special responsibilities to remain involved in homeland politics. I identify four bases for exile responsibilities: capability to assist; shared identity; shared oppression; and complicity in collective wrongdoing. I conclude that exiles' special capabilities to provide assistance impose a minimum duty of publicity. Exiles' activism that goes beyond this duty may be accounted for by their reasons from identity, oppression, or complicity.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:573751
Date January 2012
CreatorsVasanthakumar, Ashwini
PublisherUniversity of Oxford
Source SetsEthos UK
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeElectronic Thesis or Dissertation

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