Introduction

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Sonja Lehmann
as Hedetoft and Hjort explain (xx; emphasis in original). Accordingly, local attachments
cannot simply be ignored like Bhabha does.
4.2. Changes in Identity Formation
What then do transnational identities look like? They are no longer confined to a
single nation-state, but also not postnational. Therefore, concerning identification
and categorization, transnational individuals identify with several nations and cultures,
which they feel they belong to. Hannerz accordingly speaks of “’biterritorialization’,
or ‘multiterritorialization’” (220), which Beck very aptly calls “place
polygamy” (“Living” 276) thereby emphasizing the feeling of belonging to several
places or nations at once. There can now be two or more nation-states who can
exercise the power to identify and categorize (or not), which can result in dual or
multiple citizenship, which is, however, not practiced in all states (Wayland 26). 24
Even if it is, it is not without its problems as Levitt and Glick Schiller point out:
First, dual belonging calls into question the very notion of governance because
it is not readily obvious which state is ultimately responsible for
which aspects of transnational migrants’ lives. Where should those who live
across borders get health care, pay taxes, or serve in the army? Which state
assumes the primary responsibility for migrants’ protection and representation?
What happens when migrants are sentenced to the death penalty in
their host country while the death sentence is prohibited in their country of
origin? (204)
These are all very important questions with no readily available answers so far.
The nation-state’s power to categorize and identify its members is thus somewhat
weakened because it is shared and because a specific nation-state’s authority is not
automatically guaranteed anymore. Nevertheless, Levitt and Glick Schiller look at
this not as a loss of power but rather a transformation of the state which now
“assumes new functions” (198). 25
Self-understanding and social location underwent considerable change, too.
While one’s social location is not tied to a particular place anymore, people still
live in certain places and communities, as emphasized above. However, for transmigrants
their social location can differ markedly from one actual location to the
next. Levitt and Glick Schiller thus point out the possibility that “individuals occupy
different gender, racial, and class positions within different states at the same
time” (194). For example, people may be well educated or belong to a high social
class in their home country, but nevertheless work in low paid jobs in the host
24 Since citizenship, rights, and participation will not be of great importance in the following, I will
not go into detail here. Levitt and Glick Schiller provide a good overview (197-205).
25 See previous note.