Transnational Political Practices of Migrants in Germany: Study of transnational activities from Polish and Turkish Immigrants in Germany

• Applicant: Professor Thomas Faist, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Political Science
• Term: from 2004 to 2007
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5446723

As a consequence of international migration, migrants in general, but also members of religious, ethnic and national minorities, frequently establish intense and relatively continuous exchange relations beyond the territories and communities of nation states. This particular project on Germany within the ESF initiative focuses an political practices of migrants, taking as examples Turkish and Polish immigrants. Not much is known about the intensity, extensity and durability of border-crossing political activities. And even less research has been devoted to the implications of transnational politics for liberal democratic states. First, therefore, it is imperative to specify the opportunity structures in which transnational political practices occur. Second, it is important to inquire into the types, forms and addressees transnational political behaviour takes. Third, the question needs to be raised how such migrant political practices are embedded into local or national contexts. Substantial knowledge about the different kinds of transnational political practices can be helpful to take empirical informed judgements on the relationhip between transnationalization and immigrant integration.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Belgium, France, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland
• Participating Persons: Professor Dr. Gianni D' Amato; Michael Eve; Dr. Thomas Lacroix; Professor Dr. Marco Martiniello; Professor Dr. Rinus Penninx