Research Paper on Implications of Transnational Connections

Introduction

National belonging can be related to citizenship. Citizenship is what separates "us" from "them" regarding the rights that citizens can equally enjoy within their respective policies as opposed to non-citizens who have no such rights (Oxhorn 477). Transnational connections significantly impact on the claim of an individual to a particular nationality. The perception of who we are or the kind of people we are judged to rely on the judgment of those around us as to how well or bad our claim of national identities is, primarily by those that manage national identity (Bechhofer et al. 1246). To a great extent, the sense of national belonging impacts on a person's life chances as it determines whether one is entitled to particular benefits. Transnational connections bring about the concept of multiculturalism which significantly impacts on an individual's sense of national belonging. The fact that an individual was not born and raised in a particular region implies they may lack specific features that are reliable markers of social possession in the specific country. The effect of this is that it makes it difficult for these individuals to feel a sense of national belonging and also to be socially included in the particular nation. In most instances, multiculturalism is not as useful as idealistic assumptions make on promoting national unity. In fact, on most occasions it causes Transnational connections translate into weaker notions of national belonging and therefore cannot be used to strengthen local communities.

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Markers of National Identity and Social Acceptance

About national identity, individuals are judged base on how well the people in the surrounding accept their claim. How good a person's claim is will determine whether they will be socially included or excluded. From a study carried out, factors such as birthplace, ethnicity, accent, ancestry, and residence are some of the cultural markers that solidify claims of national identity (Bechhofer et al. 83).

Most people believe that birthplace is a strong marker of national belonging and that on its own, it is adequate to substantiate the claim of national identity. In a study that was carried out, about 30 percent of the people interviewed agreed that if an individual were born in a particular country, then their claim of citizenship would be accepted (Bechhofer 1251). Also, they decided that the acceptance of one's claim to national identity to a high degree determines their social inclusion.

The accent is also another important marker of national identity. It indicates that a person was born in a particular region, or was brought up there. To some extent, it shows that an individual has interacted a lot with people in a specific country. For instance, if one has an English accent, it depicts that they have either lived in England for a substantial amount of time and they have significantly interacted with the English people.

National identity and social acceptance is significantly impacted by one belonging to a given ethnicity to a great extent. The ethnicity of an individual would determine whether people will regard them as nationals of a particular country or not. For instance, if one was in a European country such as England, seeing a white person one would quickly presume them to be English. Also, if one saw an Asian in the same place, they would presume them to be English too. Although the Asian may feel English, other people may not feel the same way. Most people think that this kind of people, that is, transnational citizens lack a sense of national belonging (Bechhofer 1254). The impact of ethnicity in determining the national identity of a person is so significant that some people admitted in a study done in Scotland that if one is not white, then it takes for granted that they cannot be Scottish (Bechhofer et al. 254). The implication of this is that ethnicity or in other words race is an important marker of national belonging.

Implications of Transnational Migrations

With transnational connections, there is bound to be increased transnational migrations. Transnational migrants usually move to a new country where they have not been born and brought up. Such kind of movements results in the country where the people are moving into and also where they are coming from (Portes 1544). Some of these changes are cultural and economic shifts, especially where it involves great numbers of people.

When a significant number of people migrate from given country, primarily the young and productive, the productivity of that particular state could decline. The reason is that the reduced workforce left back at home, mainly where the people migrating establish permanent residence in their country of destination. They may also cause a change in the culture of its people, bringing in the notion that upward mobility can only be achieved through immigration to individual countries.

High numbers of immigrants could cause changes in the host country. It has been argued that migrants, mainly from regions with high human capital, could have a significant impact on their host countries. However, the reality is different from this as these migrants are usually educated and are therefore more flexible pertaining adapting to the norms of the host country. This kind of immigrants typically have many opportunities due to their qualifications and are not problematic to their host countries. It is the uneducated migrants who have a significant impact on the host countries. The reason for this is because they tend to stick to their ways of life and usually are not familiar with the language and culture of the host country. Such immigrants could cause many changes in their host countries as they could give a visible different cultural-linguistic concentration (Portes 1546). The effect of this is that it becomes difficult for this category to be socially included in the particular country and also for their claim of national belonging to be accepted.

It is likely that immigrants have a different accent from that dominant in the country that they have found refuge. Also, they may belong to a different race. Also, the cultural diversity that is associated with transnational migration makes integration of immigrants with the locals difficult. The lack of ancestral roots of immigrants is also another significant factor in transnational migrations. These differences make their social inclusion and acceptance of their nationality difficult.

Perceptions on Transnational Migrations

Transnational connections result in cultural diversity which creates the concept of the minority groups. It is true as this results in two categories of people in a country that is composed of many ethnic groups. There is the tendency of one group being regarded as the mainstream ethnicity and the rest as minority groups. The solution t this is said to be incorporation. Incorporation entails the interaction of members of the mainstream and minority on various platforms, both micro, and macro (Alexander 242). Micro-interactions involve involvements at a personal level such as intermarriages between the two categories. Macro interactions, on the other hand, refer to the interaction between the two classes at public areas such as the labor market. It is the belief of most people that with incorporation, it is possible for transnational connections to translate into stronger notions of national belonging.

Many people believe that multiculturalism which stems from transnational connections and interactions has fragmentary effects (Garcia 155). The belief is shared members of the general public and even intellectuals. The implication of this is that most people believe that the presence of multiculturalism makes it difficult for people in a particular state to unite and share common goals, such as the development and perpetuation of sole civic culture. It is attributed to the idea that it creates multiple political and social enclaves. These perceptions significantly impact the opinions people have regarding immigrants. It leads to the dominance of the belief that immigrants coming into a country is equivalent to the importation of their problems with them. The effect of this is that locals frown upon immigration, hence transnational connections.

Feasibility of Transnational Citizenship in Canada

Canada is a country characterized by its diverse population. The country consists of citizens of different cultures and a significant number of immigrants. The belief that diversity leads to a greater sense of national belonging and greater cohesion among people of a given country is only theoretical (Garcea 147). In the practical world, diversity creates separation among groups of people, thereby forming the concept of "us" and the "others." In Canada, there are several immigrants in the country due to the existing policies on immigration. To a great extent, we can say that in this country, transnational citizenship is practical to an appreciable degree.

In Canada, although transnational citizens may not feel as socially included as other citizens who have been born and bred in the country, there is an appreciable level in which the Canadian society permits their social inclusion. A possible explanation for this is that although they have different core values from those possessed by Canadians by birth, there is high acceptability of cultural diversity in the country. Core values are symbolic of the heartland of ideologies system and serve as identifying values that represent a particular group and its membership (Smolicz 75). These values are crucial in a given society as they act as a means through which the membership of an individual in a particular group can be verified. The Canadian society is based upon a consensus of the continuity of cultural pluralism which presumes that there exists a specific cultural base of core values. It offers a conducive environment for the promotion of unity in a modern state which is composed of diverse cultures and individuals from different backgrounds. To a great extent, this promotes creativity and cognitive growth through the interaction of individuals from diverse backgrounds.

The fact that Canada is composed of several races with ancestry in the country is one of the reasons why transnational citizenship in the nation is feasible. The reason this is the case is that unlike other countries such as European countries, in Canada you cannot for instance just presume that a Black person is not a citizen. The case is different in other countries where most of the people would assume that an individual from a different race is not a citizen of the country. In a study that was carried out in Scotland and England, most of the people were of the opinion that they did not feel that Asians who possibly belong to the second generation of immigrants were Scottish (Bechhofer 1258). The implication of this is that in a racially homogeneous country, transnational citizenship, mainly where it comprises people from a different race from that of the country they are moving in is not feasible. The racially heterogeneous composition of Canada's population makes transnational citizenship practical. The reason is that it makes it easy for the social inclusion of transnational citizens as they are not regarded as the "others."

Conclusion

In conclusion, transnational connections translate into weaker notions of local identity and can, therefore, not be used to strengthen local communities. The reason for this is the broad negative perspectives regarding cultural diversity, which results from transnational connections. Unlike the idealistic views that diversity is a source of national heritage, in reality, this exists only theoretically. The effect of cultural diversity is a division along ethnic lines and the development of the concept of "mai...