论美国印裔族群的政治参与

Political Participation of the Indian Diaspora in the United States

长久以来,政治参与一直是外来移民实现社会融入的重要方式之一,也是其维护自身权益并抗击主流社会歧视与排挤的必然选择。作为当今美国第二大亚裔群体,印裔族群的参政在久经曲折后已发生根本性的转变。由于新时期的族裔发展具有多重特性,在一系列自身和外界因素的合力推动下,印裔族群对美国政治生活的积极参与不仅已通过政治捐款、投票、竞选、游说等方面得到清晰的展现,而且还逐步形成了某些显著的特点。就目前的发展态势而言,印裔族群的参政力度和影响必将会得到进一步的强化。

Political participation has long been seen as an important means for new immigrants to achieve social integration,and is also a natural choice for immigrants looking to ensuring their rights and resist mainstream social discrimination or exclusion.As the second largest Asian diaspora population in the United States,following initial frustrations with their involvement in the political process,Indian immigrants have made fundamental breakthroughs in their political participation.With the developing trend towards increased ethnic plurality among new immigrants,a range of exogenous and endogenous factors have worked together to promote the positive participation of the Indian diaspora in American political life,as is clearly evidenced through their political donations,voting,campaigning for public office,and lobbying activities.Gradually,Indian American political involvement has developed a number of distinct characteristics,and based on present trends,the level of participation and influence of the Indian diaspora will continue to increase.