Transnational Migration

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

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.

'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

"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