Description
Book SynopsisThis systematic and critical overview of transnational migration perfectly balances theoretical discussion with relevant examples and cases, making it an ideal book for upper-level students covering immigration and transnational relations, on sociology, political science, and globalization courses.
Trade Review'Embraced by many and damned by others, the transnational perspective has become hugely influential. But it is in need of a clear and lucid synthesis. Here it is. This remarkably well-written and engaging book provides a critical, original, and theoretically stimulating overview of a process that is transforming societies across the world.'
Luis Eduardo Guarnizo, University of California, Davis
'A well-organized introduction to how social scientists should engage with the cross-border connections that many migrants maintain and with the role these ties possibly play for economic development, changing concepts of citizenship, and networks of civil society organizations. A must-read for anyone who approaches the subject with an analytical mind.'
Andreas Wimmer, University of California, Los Angeles
'This book addresses key concepts and controversies that have marked the emergence of the transnational migration paradigm. The authors assess the mundane transborder familial, religious, social, cultural, and political practices that sustain hope and opportunity in myriad corners of the world. Transnational Migration is a welcome intervention at the current moment. Rhetorics about failed integration are countered with astute analysis of the role of transnational social fields in a precarious world.'
Nina Glick Schiller, University of Manchester
"The book is clearly argued and is written in easily accessible language avoiding unnecessary jargon relatively well, and it can serve as an excellent introduction to contemporary migration research."
Political Studies Review
Table of ContentsPreface and Acknowledgements viii
1 Three Transnationals: Transnationalization, Transnational Social Spaces and Transnationality 1
Cross-border migration and the need for a transnational perspective 5
Unpacking the transnational 7
Aim and structure of the book 17
2 Transnationality and Social Practices 27
Familial transnational practices 28
Socio-cultural transnational practices 32
Economic transnational practices 35
Political transnational practices 39
The significance of transnational practices 43
3 Conceptualizing Transnationalization and Transnational Social Spaces 46
Transnationalization in historical perspective 47
The concept of transnational social spaces 53
The durability of transnationalization 61
4 Transnationalization and Development 66
Three phases of the debate 68
Remittances and their role for family and kin 70
Transnational investment and business 74
Hometown associations and their contributions to community development 75
Transnational circulation of knowledge 80
Social remittances and their effects 84
5 Transnationality and the Models of Migrant Integration 88
Transnationalism as a model of integration 91
The relationship between transnationality and integration 95
Second-generation transnationality 102
Migrant associations as a means of integration and transnationalization 106
6 States and Citizens – Transnational Political Practices and Institutions 109
Citizenship: a conceptual sketch 111
The policies of citizenship: the case of dual citizenship 114
The politics of citizenship: citizens, diasporas and states 121
Transnational citizenship? 133
7 Transnational Methodology 135
Three methodological challenges for transnational analysis 136
Methods to address the three challenges 145
Capturing simultaneity 157
8 Transnationalizing Civil Society 159
Civil society and transnational social spaces 161
The relevance of development, social integration and citizenship for civil society 164
Civil society and the state 168
Civil society and the market 171
Civil society and the family 172
The role and function of migrant transnational social spaces for civil society 175
The signifi cance of a transnational approach for the social sciences 179
Notes 183
References 185
Index 203
