ABSTRACT
In the following chapters, we will develop a theoretical framework for understanding the process of transnational socialization and involvement at the individual level. For this purpose, the perspective of “transnationalism from below” will be presented, referring to the everyday behavior of individuals and showing to what extent the dynamics of cross-border interaction are performed and structured by the everyday behavior of individuals. The argument put forward is that transnational behavior is associated with processes of individualization, understood as an increased freedom of choice, a greater demand for individual autonomy, and a rise in mobility and spatial flexibility. In contrast to traditional societies where people were bound to places and given collectivities, individuals now construct their biographies by means of their own actions and preferences. This also means that social spaces of action change and that border-crossing becomes a part of the individual’s repertoire. Alongside this we can observe an intensified use of communication media and transportation technology facilitating cross-border networking and mobility. A particular potential danger is frequently attributed to these changes; it is claimed that they make the maintenance of stable social relations more unlikely. The question thus arises as to how social relations and networks are configured under the conditions of transnationalism and what potential exists for re-embedding.
