Moldovan diaspora's social networks: political mobilization and participation

Abstract

In the early 90s, the Republic of Moldova declared its independence and began to build a sovereign state. The state construction was characterized by severe political, economic and social crises that pushed many Moldovans to leave the country and look for a better life abroad. Once settled abroad, many Moldovans kept in contact with their homeland via online platforms. Additionally, they began to create online communities and social networks, and start using them as main tools to inform and share the information, to debate the political situation at home and share some opportunities. Later on, social networks became a place for political mobilization and a source of transnational influence and transfer of innovation back home. Drawing on a qualitative analysis of diaspora´s social networks the current article acknowledges their potential to engage and mobilize the political participation of the Moldovan diaspora. Such a practice is an example of active engagement and solidarity with the Moldovans back home and points out the decisive role that Moldovan diaspora can play for the country of origin transformation. Therefore the article concludes that social networks transcended their initial aim and transformed into a space of political mobilization and participation.