Transnational Migration (eBook)

Thomas Faist is professor of transnational, development and migration studies at the Bielefeld University, Germany. Margit Fauser is a researcher in the department of sociology at Bielefeld University, Germany. Eveline Reisenauer is a researcher in the department of sociology at Bielefeld University, Germany.

Preface 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

"This is an important book for all scholars conducting research on the characteristics and effects of transnational migration on both origins and destinations. Highly recommended"
Choice

'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