Connecting and confronting transnationalism: bridging concepts and moving critique

ABSTRACT

This article traces the trajectory of transnationalism as a perspective and field of study and suggests that new impetus can be given to its development by establishing a dialogue between transnationalism and other key concepts. While the research agenda of the early stages was characterised by a need to distinguish transnationalism from related terms, such as globalisation, we argue that the field could now regain momentum by exploring synergies with other concepts. In this special issue we stage confrontations between transnationalism and, respectively, the (perspectives opened up by the) concepts of ‘borders’, ‘translocality’, ‘precarity’, ‘queer’, ‘moralities’, ‘the state’, and ‘brokerage’. Conceptually, this allows us to go beyond an internal critique that exposes the shortcomings of a transnational perspective, by suggesting novel frameworks and toolkits. Substantively, this issue’s articles demonstrate the need to refocus transnational studies’ attention to the unevenness, instability and inequality of transnational space.

KEYWORDS:

• Transnational
• translocality
• precarity
• queer
• borders
• brokerage
• immigrants
• moralities
• state

Acknowledgements

This special issue is inspired by exchange with colleagues and guest speakers at the Department of Development Studies, University of Vienna. We would like to thank Hazel Burke and Claire Alexander from Identities for their enthusiasm in accepting this special issue, their encouragement, and patient guidance. We are grateful to our authors for the productive collaboration and their inspiring insights into transnationalism. The anonymous reviewers of each contribution have helped to refine and strengthen this special issue.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.