The Political Economy of Immigration and the Emergence of Transnationalism

Recent literature on immigration and immigrants reveals a shift in language, concepts, and theories that reflect the growing influence of global capitalism on transnational migrants. Largely deriving from an imperialism or world systems theory framework, the literature varies widely in its scope of concern, assessment of the current and future impact of globalization, and policy implications. The prior notion of the immigrant as unidirectional sojourner is being replaced by a focus on the political and economic context that creates migration flows. Transnational theories also emphasize the importance of collective identities, activities, and social spaces formed by transnational migrants and explore their functions for these groups. The literature review concludes with a summary of the significance and contributions of transnational theories focusing on transmigration and the transnational migrant and a concept map describing analytical trajectories in the literature.