Transnational Migration

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"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

• Preface and Acknowledgements viii1 Three Transnationals: Transnationalization, Transnational Social Spaces and Transnationality 1Cross-border migration and the need for a transnational perspective 5Unpacking the transnational 7Aim and structure of the book 172 Transnationality and Social Practices 27Familial transnational practices 28Socio-cultural transnational practices 32Economic transnational practices 35Political transnational practices 39The significance of transnational practices 433 Conceptualizing Transnationalization and Transnational Social Spaces 46Transnationalization in historical perspective 47The concept of transnational social spaces 53The durability of transnationalization 614 Transnationalization and Development 66Three phases of the debate 68Remittances and their role for family and kin 70Transnational investment and business 74Hometown associations and their contributions to community development 75Transnational circulation of knowledge 80Social remittances and their effects 845 Transnationality and the Models of Migrant Integration 88Transnationalism as a model of integration 91The relationship between transnationality and integration 95Second-generation transnationality 102Migrant associations as a means of integration and transnationalization 1066 States and Citizens – Transnational Political Practices and Institutions 109Citizenship: a conceptual sketch 111The policies of citizenship: the case of dual citizenship 114The politics of citizenship: citizens, diasporas and states 121Transnational citizenship? 1337 Transnational Methodology 135Three methodological challenges for transnational analysis 136Methods to address the three challenges 145Capturing simultaneity 1578 Transnationalizing Civil Society 159Civil society and transnational social spaces 161The relevance of development, social integration and citizenship for civil society 164Civil society and the state 168Civil society and the market 171Civil society and the family 172The role and function of migrant transnational social spaces for civil society 175The signifi cance of a transnational approach for the social sciences 179Notes 183References 185Index 203