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The
concept of trans-nationalism refers to multiple ties and
interactions linking people and institutions across the borders
of nation-states.(1) 'Trans-national activities'
can be defined as:
"those
that take place on a recurrent basis across national borders and
that require a regular and significant commitment of time by participants.
Such activities may be conducted by relatively powerful actors,
such as representatives of national governments and multinational
corporations, or may be initiated by more modest individuals, such
as immigrants and their home country kin and relations. These activities
are not limited to economic enterprises, but include political,
cultural and religious initiatives as well."(2)
This
definition indicates the close relationship between trans-nationalism
and globalisation,
which also refers essentially to the rapid expansion of cross-border
transactions and networks in all areas of life. At the same time,
the concept suggest that boundaries between nation-states
are becoming less distinct.
'Trans-national
communities' are one aspect of trans-nationalism. Trans-national
communities are groups whose identity is not primarily based on
attachment to a specific territory. The notion of a trans-national
community puts the emphasis on human agency: such groups are the
result of cross-border activities which link individuals, families
and local groups.
Together
with globalisation, the sharp increase of trans-national communities
undermines the means of controlling difference founded on territoriality.
Trans-national communities represent a powerful challenge to the
traditional ideas of nation-state belonging.(3)
The idea of the person who belongs to just one nation-state or at
most migrates from one state to just one other (whether temporarily
or permanently) is undermined by the increase in mobility; growth
of temporary, cyclical and recurring migrations; cheap and easy
travel, etc. In the context of globalisation, trans-nationalism
can extend previous face-to-face communities based on kinship, neighbourhoods
or workplaces into remote virtual communities, which communicate
at a distance.
Trans-national
communities do not necessarily refer only to migrants, since cross-border
groups with common cultural, sporting, political or other interests
might also consider themselves a community. However, in practical
terms, groups arising from migrations are the most significant type,
and most research on trans-national communities refers to these.
Clearly, migrants have always lived in more than one setting, maintaining
links with a real or imagined community in the state of origin.
The new is the context of globalisation and economic uncertainty
that facilitates the construction of social relations transcending
national borders. The increase in mobility and the development of
communication have contributed to such relations, and has created
a transnational space of economic, cultural and political participation.(4)
(1)
Vertovec, S. 1999, Conceiving and researching transnationalism,
Ethnic and Racial Studies 22(2): 445-62. in Castles, S. 2000. International
Conference on Transnational Communities in the Asia Pacific Region:
Comparative Perspectives, Singapore 7-8 August, 2000
(2)
Portes, A. 1999 'Conclusion: towards a new world - the origins and
effects of transnational activities', Ethnic and Racial Studies
22(2): 463-77.
(3)
Castles, S. 2000. International Conference on Transnational Communities
in the Asia Pacific Region: Comparative Perspectives, Singapore
7-8 August, 2000.
(4)
For more on this see Kastoryano, R. 2000. Settlement, transnational
communities and citizenship. International Social Science Journal.
Vol 165 , September 2000. Blackwell Publishers/ UNESCO.
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