Abstract

MARESCA, Alberto. Political and social exclusion of Haitian migrants in the Dominican Republic: approaching a multidimensional racism. Universitas [online]. 2024, n.40, pp.93-113. ISSN 1390-8634.  https://doi.org/10.17163/uni.n40.2024.04.

This paper’s research focuses on a multidimensional racism suffered by Haitians migrants in the Dominican Republic, which appears to be social and political as well. The direct experience of the author in the Dominican Republic strengthens an empirical and theoretical analysis for questioning a possible correlation between Dominican politics, nationalism, and popular support for the general exclusion, within the Dominican national system, of Haitian migrants. Through an initial review of relevant literature, from the fields of Sociology and Migration, this article defines the concept of Agamben’s Homo Sacer. Agamben’s theoretical contribution is useful to identify the state’s will to exclude Haitian migrants. In addition, Sayad’s concept of State-thinking will also be used. Moreover, the historical focus on community’s search for national identity relies on Rappaport’s works and then related to the Dominican Republic. Exclusion and marginalization of Haitian migrants is also analyzed by outlining the lack of governmental data and updated information about immigrants, leading to hypothetical correlations between State-promoted illegalization of Haitian migrants, enforced by local politics, and a social dimension of racial nationalism. With a focus on International Relations on Political Science, the study describes that the current Dominican government, headed by President Luis Abinader, shows a trend influenced by a past heritage of political realism and nationalism in its bilateral relations with Haiti, since, it is worth noting, there seems to be relevant consensus in the Dominican society for such hardline policies.

Keywords : Dominican Republic; Haiti; migration; racism; politics. social exclusion; nationalism; marginalization..

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