Sanctuaries and Bridges

Why do some immigrant communities throw themselves into political life, while others remain on the sidelines? This book addresses this question by examining the Chinese communities of Sydney, drawing on dozens of in-depth interviews, an original survey, and national survey data up to 2025.

The author argues that Sydney’s Chinese evangelical churches offer migrants a complete world of friendship, restored status, emotional support, and a sense of belonging in an unfamiliar country. However, this completeness can quietly turn members away from politics, a phenomenon the author terms the Sanctuary Trap. By contrast, secular Chinese associations act as bridges, connecting their members to wider society and encouraging political engagement. The comparative analysis of the two organisational types provides a sustained theoretical argument about the conditions under which associational involvement facilitates or constrains political participation.

A fresh account of faith, belonging, and political life, this book offers lessons for migrant communities far beyond Australia. It will appeal to scholars and students of sociology, Asian studies, and religion and politics, as well as to Asian immigrants.