Sökefeld views the diaspora not as a "group" but as a social movement, and utilizes three fundamental pillars of social movement theory:
0) Political opportunity structures
This refers to the political environment in which the diaspora can operate.
Freedom of expression in the host country
Opportunities for organization and protest
The state's openness to diaspora demands
The more open this structure is, the more possible mobilization is.
0) Mobilizing structures
These are the organizational tools that enable the diaspora to mobilize.
Associations
Federations
Religious, cultural, and digital networks
Without these structures, collective action cannot be sustained.
0) Framing processes<br It is how the diaspora tells its own story.
How victimization is defined
The distinction between “us” and “them”
Messages given to the international public
Effective framing increases both internal mobilization and external support.