Transnational Social Spaces Research Articles

Defining and Measuring Transnational Social Structures

Transnational social fields and transnational social spaces are often used interchangeably to describe and analyze emergent structures of cross-border formations. In this article, we suggest measuring two key aspects of these social structures: embeddedness and span of migrants’ personal networks. While clustered graphs allow assessing transnational embeddedness, the standardized diversity index can be used to show variation in the number of countries reported in personal networks. The measures will be exemplified with the data collected in Barcelona from three groups (Chinese, Sikh, and Filipino, N = 25 in each group, 30 alters by ego).

Informal Social Protection Networks of Migrants: Typical Patterns in Different Transnational Social Spaces

AbstractSocial network analysis, together with qualitative methods, is an approach to the study of cross‐border phenomena. The main goal of the article is to display the utility of network analysis particularly to investigate social protection within and across borders. Drawing on 300 ego‐centric networks of immigrants in Germany from three countries of origin (Kazakhstan, Poland and Turkey), this article maps their social protection practices. Transnationality, a multidimensional concept, is acknowledged as a marker of heterogeneity, a personal attribute of the respondents in this study. The authors focus in particular on typical social protection patterns of migrants embedded in different transnational social spaces, and explored in detail through the visualisation of personal network maps. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

On the Assemblages of Informal and Formal Transnational Social Protection

AbstractSocial protection is an assemblage of informal and formal elements. These opposites – ‘informal’ and ‘formal’ – have been a feature of social policy discourse for a long time. Here, informal social protection is taken as that provided by interpersonal networks, whereas formal social protection is conceptualised as being provided by the state and organisations. This article draws on several bodies of literature on social protection to show how the informal and formal are entangled. We argue for tracing them as ‘assemblages’, going beyond a static understanding of social protection because social actors constantly negotiate the use of informal welfare schemes with formal ones. These negotiations have implications for social inequalities arising out of heterogeneities. Therefore, this article advocates an understanding that recognises that informal and formal protection are interconnected and approached as an assemblage that is important to life chances and, thus, to the production and reproduction of inequalities in transnational social spaces. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Turkish–German Transnational Social Space: Stitching Across Borders

AbstractThis paper examines the social protection strategies of migrants living in Turkish–German transnational social space. Drawing on 20 interviews conducted with migrants in Germany and ten with their significant others in Turkey with a matched sample, we investigate ‘stitching’ strategy, that is, a process by which migrants in the host country continually attach themselves to the society back in their country of origin and, as a result, tap into protective resources in their interpersonal networks. We discuss the significance of high levels of transnationality displayed by our sample in protective resource flows and the ways in which inequalities are created and recreated from the respondents' perspectives. By examining transnationality as a marker of heterogeneity, our study contributes to the literature through an in‐depth analysis of a major strategy for social protection while analysing the meaning of reciprocal relationships. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

„Wem nützen nur all diese neuen Tempel?“ Religion, Entwicklung und transnationale soziale Räume im Norden Sri Lankas

Schlüsselwörter: Religion; Diaspora; Tamilen; Wiederaufbau; Entwicklungsvisionen ----- “Who benefits from all these temples?” Religion, Development and Transnational Social Spaces in Northern Sri Lanka. Abstract Starting from the observation that the reconstruction of places of worship in war-torn Sri Lanka is a highly disputed terrain full of controversies, this article investigates the motivations and rationalities underlying Tamil migrant commitment to the reconstruction of temples in the northern part of the country. Social and culturally embedded practices are geared towards the maintenance and constitution of social order. Donating to religious institutions is a conventional way to engage in social work and charity, and at the same time this practice serves the aim of securing social status within the community of origin. Particularly illuminating is the contrast between Hindu institutions, predominantly temples, and Christian institutions, which are a minority in Jaffna. The questions at stake are: Does this serve the reconstruction and development process in post-war Sri Lanka? In what way do these practices instigate social change? What are the development visions promoted by the institutions’ representatives? How do they relate to particular systems of knowledge? The analysis reveals that poverty alleviation is always at the core of these religious activities; however, this is not always accompanied by visions of a more egalitarian society. This relates to questions concerning the localisation of religion in the globalized world, as well as its relationship with and integration into the global developmental space. Keywords: religion; diaspora; Tamil; post-war-reconstruction; development visions ----- Bibliographie: Gerharz, Eva: „Wem nützen nur all diese neuen Tempel?“ Religion, Entwicklung und transnationale soziale Räume im Norden Sri Lankas, PERIPHERIE, 2-2014, S. 239-262. https://doi.org/10.3224/peripherie.v34i134-135.22447

Transnationalism within: a study of beach vendors in Cabo San Lucas (Mexico)

It is argued that some tourist centers are denationalized and transnational social spaces created since the 1970s by neoliberal policies married to the forces of globalization. They are transnational social spaces not only because of transnational investment and the migration of tourists and expatriates who settle both semi-permanently and permanently, but also because of internal migration flows that must cross (internal) political, as well as cultural, linguistic, and ethnic, borders within. Inside these spaces, globalization as indexed by the effects of the global economic recession is experienced daily on an individual level. This can be seen in the results of interviews with 60 beach vendors, part of the semi-informal and informal economy, in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico.

What is the Hizmet Movement? Contending Approaches to the Analysis of Religious Activists In World Politics

The goal of this article is to understand the role of religious activists in world politics from an international relations (IR) perspective. The paper proposes a critical theory of religion and encourages researchers to accept individual religiosity, class, and identity in the study of religious actors. The paper develops three avenues of inquiry. First, a better typology of religious actors in world politics is needed to classify them in their political and social contexts. Second, citing the example of Turkey’s Hizmet Movement of Fethullah Gülen, the central role played by economic engagement is analyzed from a neo-Gramscian perspective in International Political Economy (IPE). In so doing, Hizmet is presented as a non-western expression of neoliberal globalization and as part of the “globalizing elite.” Lastly, Hizmet’s international activities are presented as potentially having unforeseen consequences in the light of its creation and reproduction as a transnational social space.

The role of different forms of bridging capital for immigrant adaptation and upward mobility. The case of Ukrainian and Vietnamese immigrants settled in Poland

This paper analyses the adaptation strategies of Vietnamese and Ukrainian immigrants having permit for settlement in Poland and settled in Warsaw and its vicinity (namely in the Mazowieckie province), with an emphasis on the relationship between the cultural, social and economic dimensions of adaptation. The research showed that due to the large cultural distance between the Vietnamese and Polish societies as well as the specific socio-cultural characteristics of Vietnamese immigrants (e.g. strong ethnic identity and a high level of in-group ties) the concept of adaptation should be reconsidered and a more holistic approach should be taken. From an individualistic perspective, a strategy of separation was most visible among the Vietnamese, whereas from a group and culturally sensitive perspective a strategy of collective and intermediate integration was predominant in this group along with collective social mobility. Vietnamese immigrants who were integrated with Polish society, such as pioneer immigrants, Vietnamese leaders, the spouses of Poles and representatives of the 1.5 and 2nd generations played the role of cultural brokers. They mediated between their compatriots and Polish society. Thus the integration of the majority of immigrants took place through the agency of the representatives, who also had a key role in the formation of the Vietnamese enclave. In the case of Ukrainian migrants the close cultural distance between the Polish and Ukrainian societies as well as the volume and density of relations between Ukrainian immigrants and Poles (including very frequent mixed marriages) primarily led to assimilation and individual social mobility. Cases of migrants operating in transnational social spaces which encompass Ukrainians, Poles and migrants from other post-Soviet countries remained rare. Ukrainian immigrants mainly based their adaptation on bridging capital accumulated in strong ties (which was related to their Polish spouses and cultural assimilation), whereas the Vietnamese migrants predominantly used bridging capital generated in weak ties as a resource for adaptation.

Transnational caregiving in turbulent times: Polish migrants in Iceland and their elderly parents in Poland

The culturally determined necessity of the personal fulfilment of children’s obligations to care for older parents, including personal care and practical household help, is a long-lasting element of the Polish normative system, strengthened by the weakness of the institutional support system. In the situation of migration the obligations (and the methods by which they can be realized) are modified but do not disappear. What become necessary are new types of social practices. The aim of this article is to analyse intergenerational caregiving and family remittance flows in transnational social space. The authors use the case study of working-class migrants in Iceland and their elderly parents in Poland to explore how remittances function in the later life stage of the transnational family. The main thesis is that in transnational social space taking care of elderly parents (mostly by women) in person in Poland is transformed into remittances (mostly sent by migrating women). The authors also discuss the impact of the economic crisis on transnational families, which in the present case had strongly hit Iceland but has (for the time being) bypassed Poland. The authors use quantitative and qualitative data collected during field research in Iceland and Poland.

The Finnish and Swedish Migration Dynamics and Transnational Social Spaces

This article contributes to debates about the long-term development of migration dynamics. The argument is based on a study of the transnational dynamics of the migration flows between Finland and Sweden. The two countries provide a good case for studying the long-term development of migration patterns, since there has been a full freedom of movement and the migration patterns are well documented. The article argues that the postwar labor migration from Finland to Sweden created a transnational social space that still today facilitates migration between the two countries. Although Finnish citizens dominate the migration flows in both directions, the number of Swedish migrants has steadily increased. This new pattern can be explained by the development of the transnational social space involving an increasing number of mixed families.

Experiences of Turkish Cypriot, Kurdish and Turkish Youth in Creating Transnational Social Spaces in London Schools

This paper focuses on the role of school in identity formation of Turkish Cypriot, Kurdish and Turkish youths (thereafter TCKT) living in London and explores the perceptions of young people about their school life, mainly focusing on secondary school experiences, and exploring the difficulties faced in their relations with peers. It also examines the forms of homogeneity and heterogeneity within the school environment, examining their influence on identity formation and the negotiation of transnational social spaces by TCKT youth. The homogeneity of schools in London prevents them from forming identities based on interaction with various cultures and, therefore, limits their ability to create transnational social spaces.

Migrációs történetek, döntések és narratív identitás. A tanulmányi célú migrációról – másként

A tanulmányi célú migráció értelmezésemben transznacionális migráció, míg az e folyamatban résztvevő migránsok a transznacionális migránsok ideáltípusához közelítenek. A tanulmányi célú migrációt nem egyirányú és egyszeri elmozdulásként, hanem időben elhúzódó, nyitott kimenetelű folyamatként értelmezhetjük. Bármeddig húzódnak is el a tanulmányok, a migránsoknak előbb vagy utóbb döntést kell hozniuk a végleges (vagy annak tervezett) letelepedésről, arról, hogy életüket hol képzelik el. Írásomban azt mutatom be, hogy a magyarországi továbbtanulásról, illetve az itt maradásról vagy a hazatelepedésről szóló történetek milyen jellegzetes narratívákba ágyazódva jelennek meg a vajdasági magyar fiatalok elbeszéléseiben. A családorientált, a kisebbségi magyar identitás köré szerveződő, valamint az orientalista diskurzushoz kapcsolódó narratívák elemzésének kapcsán a migrációról szóló történetek, a migrációs döntések és a narratív identitás összefüggéseit igyekszem feltárni.

Overseas Temples and Tamil Migratory Space

Temples have been places of major importance for Tamil societies for more than fifteen centuries. Following the migration of Tamilians from South India, the perpetuation overseas of their tradition as temple builders and the creation of a Tamil diaspora, they can now be found on the five continents. They are indicative of the exportation of Tamil Hinduism on a global scale and prompt us to ponder the relationships linking these overseas temples and the Tamil migratory space. This paper examines the identity issues as well as the spatial meanings and transnational connections related to the making of such places. The study of some of these temples in Canada and Mauritius helps to determine how Tamil temples have become major centres of transnational social spaces and to document the geographical features of the building of ‘hauts lieux’ by migrant communities in host countries.

From location based social relationships to transnational social spaces: challenges for social work

Der Aufsatz beschaftigt sich mit der Veranderung des Ortsbezugs sozialer Beziehungen im Rahmen transnationaler Prozesse und deren Herausforderungen fur die Soziale Arbeit. Es wird die These vertreten, dass der Sozialen Arbeit auf vielfaltige Weise ein Ortsbezug sozialer Beziehungen eingeschrieben ist, der gegenuber den Strukturen und Prozessen sich in transnationalen Raumen gestaltenden sozialen Beziehungen an deutliche Grenzen stost.

Palestinian Diaspora in Transnational Worlds: Intergenerational Differences in Negotiating Identity, Belonging and Home

The study reveals that the social connections of the second generation with the homeland facilitated by technological advances have resulted in the transnational nature of Palestinian Canadians of second generation, as they are more familiar with these technologies than the first generation. It also reveals that social contexts, such as the family and ethnic union, can strengthen the sense of belonging of the second-generation to transnational social spaces that, in turn, facilitate the development of transnational practices. Young Palestinian Canadians demonstrate strong solidarity and sympathy with the Palestinians living under the occupation or in the refugee camps. Such bonds greatly enhance their Palestinian identity; however, the process of identification has altered, particularly for the second generation. For them, Palestine is a significant source of identification but not the only source. Thus, their identities can be referred to as “global identity”. To the second-generation Palestinian Canadians, maintaining social interaction with family members is important. Solidifying and rejuvenating these ties mean physical attachment and actual journeys to visit family and friends in the country of origin. These findings are in line with the emergent diaspora literature that suggests that, analogous to the first generation; second-generation immigrants may experience transnationalism at the level of practice the same as the first generation. Thus, it is concluded that second-generation Palestinian immigrants have strong transnational belonging and are keenly participating in transnational activities.

Pedagogías del Camaleón /Pedagogies of the Chameleon: Identity and Strategies of Survival for Transnational Indigenous Latino Immigrants in the US South

Based on a 3-year qualitative research study that took place in a new immigrant-receiving community in North Carolina, the manuscript examines the implications of transnational cultural and sociolinguistic patterns of multilingual indigenous Latino immigrants (ILIs), and its effects on their survival in the US. Utilizing narrative analysis, it explores how Mexican, Salvadoran, and Guatemalan immigrants of indigenous backgrounds use survival strategies of the Pedagogy of the Chameleon to move across multiple identities, both to maintain their cultures and to survive as immigrants in the United States. This manuscript explores the ways ILIs use strategies and skills passed through strong social networks to move in and out of transnational social spaces. In addition, it raises questions about the ways multilingualism affects border mobility and transnationality as well as how undocumented families use multilingualism as a transnational bridge to facilitate their survival in a hostile US environment, the community, and in schools.

Toward a Transnational Methodology: Methods to Address Methodological Nationalism, Essentialism, and Positionality

A transnational perspective on cross-border migration and its consequences extends beyond the immigration countries and encompasses regions of origin and destination, and other places which are criss-crossed by the connectivities of persons, groups and organizations. Based on the wide range of knowledge generated by transnational studies in the field of migration this article explores how these empirical results were generated. A transnational methodology needs to address three challenges: methodological nationalism, group essentialism, and the positionality of researchers. This task necessitates, first, the presentation of a methodological toolbox for studying transnational phenomena empirically, that is, transnationality but also the transnational social spaces. In doing so, this article engages in reflections on how to conduct research and assess evidence. This endeavour also includes discussion of how relevant research techniques are applied, using selected examples.

Recovery from Mental Disorder and Access to Social Support Mechanisms in Transnational Social Spaces

AbstractRecent buzzwords like ‘intercultural opening’ and ‘transcultural psychiatry’ indicate improvements in access to and quality of treatment in psychiatric care for migrants in Germany. However, this process of improvement is still in its beginnings. This article looks at how informal transnational coping strategies and mechanisms of transnational social support are used to compensate for the ongoing lack of adequate professional treatment or support during recovery from mental disorder. The article uses current literature and existing research to investigate the helping and hindering aspects of social networks in the context of mental health problems resulting from transnational lifestyles. It also discusses the potential of transnational social networks to enhance the recovery process and applies this discussion to the field of mental health services for migrants in Germany.

From Germany with Love: Transnational Family Networks and Daughterhood Constructions of Russian Au Pair Migrants

Using biographical data of Russian au pair migrants, this article will investigate the phenomenon of transnational family networks from the perspective of adult migrant daughters. It focuses on role constructions and practices of daughters towards their nuclear families within the transnational social space, which stretches between and beyond the national borders of Russia and Germany. Transnational daughterhood shows how adult female migrants adopt a supporting role for their parents in the home country in spite of spatial distance separating the two generations. This article supplements existing studies about transnational family relations predominately focused on care provided by migrant mothers to their children. It argues against the understanding of co-presence as a pre-requirement for types of intergenerational solidarity which do not only encompass material provision but also emotional care, both being highly feminized role attributes in the support cycle between mothers and daughters.

Constructing transnational social spaces among Latin American migrants in Europe: perspectives from the UK

This paper examines the construction of transnational social spaces among Latin American migrants living in the UK in relation to their multiple connections with homelands and other European countries, especially Spain. Drawing on Bourdieu’s forms of capital approach, it explores how transnational practices underpin the functioning of these spaces in relation to how civic, economic, institutional cultural and social capital are mobilized, converted and depleted. It highlights the need to move beyond conceptualizations of negotiating capitals across simple home-destination connections and instead acknowledge that transnational social spaces comprise complex linkages among migrants across more than one border with evidence of important linear moves via intermediate countries on their way to their destination.