Some sociological Bases of transnational Practices in Italy

Transnational practices are of very variable intensity among different groupings of migrants. If we reject an automatic “methodological nationalism” it seems worth asking why some migrants develop relatively weak forms of transnational ties: negative as well as strikingly positive cases seem worth investigating and above all comparing, in order to throw light on sociological roots of transnational practices. This essay draws on interviews and ethnography with Romanians and Moroccans in Italy to investigate the reasons for modest levels of economic and political transnationalism generally found (with some interesting exceptions). Comparison is made with cases of other groups where practices are more developed. It is argued that more attention should be given to the social practices necessary to maintain transnational units stably. Some instances are explored where transnational ties and activities are — or are not — maintained (circulatory labour migration of Romanians between Turin and north-east Romania, transnational business activity).