The institutional role of diasporas in the migration system: the case of the Armenian diaspora in the USA and the Russian Federation

The subject of the study is the institutional role of the Armenian diaspora in the migration system, exemplified by its functioning in the USA and Russia. The aim of the work is to identify and compare the institutional mechanisms of the Armenian diaspora's influence on migration systems and the socio-political environment within the context of two receiving societies. The object of the study is represented by Armenian diaspora communities, their organizational structures (such as the Armenian National Committee of America, the Armenian Assembly of America, and the Union of Armenians of Russia), and their strategies for interaction with receiving states. The research focuses on analyzing the direct and indirect methods of diaspora influence, including lobbying, cultural impact, and social support for migrants, emphasizing the historical prerequisites for community formation, internal consolidation, and adaptation to the national context of the receiving countries. The research employs a comparative-analytical method within the framework of an institutional approach, supplemented by elements of historical-sociological analysis and synthesis of secondary sources. It is established that the Armenian diaspora in the USA demonstrates a high degree of institutionalization due to favorable conditions for the functioning of ethnic lobbies. The Armenian diaspora effectively influences migration legislation and the foreign policy agenda of the USA. In Russia, despite the larger size of the diaspora, its influence is primarily realized through indirect mechanisms: the Union of Armenians of Russia focuses on preserving ethnic identity and providing social support to migrants, but limited opportunities for official lobbying at the federal level hinder the transformation of the community into a full-fledged political actor. The novelty of the research lies in identifying three key conditions for the transformation of the diaspora into a subject of migration policy: the presence of legitimate institutional lobbying channels, the degree of internal community consolidation, and the historical context of diaspora formation. The results have practical value for the development of migration policy: states should create legitimate institutional channels for diasporas, support their internal consolidation, and take into account the historical context of community formation for effective management of migration processes and transnational relations.

armenian diaspora, migration policy, transnational ties, diasporas of Russia, United States, migration processes, social institutions, lobbying, integration of migrants, political influence