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This article offers an introduction to the essays in the theme issue, an overview of the reasons behind the recent resurgence of interest in transnationalist phenomena and a consideration of what the term means. Its places the topic in the different fields of international, world, regional, local and national history. The essay argues that transnationalism is best understood not as fostering bounded networks, but as creating honeycombs, a structure that sustains and gives shapes to the identities of nation-states, international and local institutions, and particular social and geographic spaces. A honeycomb binds, but it also contains hollowed-out spaces where organisations, individuals and ideas can wither away to be replaced by new groups, people and innovations.

Various factors that affect the transnational experiences of immigrant & second-generation populations are examined. It is contended that contemporary understandings of transnationalism are primarily concerned with cultural practices; however, it is argued that historical determinants must be contemplated since the experiences of first-generation immigrant populations are shaping the lives of second-generation ethnic groups. Research is subsequently urged to dedicate more attention to the impact of immigration on the receiving countries. Although future studies are encouraged to continue examining the emergence of anti-immigrant sentiment in receiving countries, it is stressed that scholarship must also acknowledge programs within host societies that facilitate or promote multiculturalism. Scholars are implored to investigate differences in the effects that state ideologies have had upon first- & second-generation ethnic populations. 2 References. J. W. Parker

The first part of the thesis consists in a review of the literature and a conceptual discussion about the concept of immigrant transnationalism and immigrant political transnationalism. This discussion shows that a series of gaps currently exists in the research on the links between the emigrants and the home country. Two of such gaps are underlined in the thesis. On the one hand, it remains difficult to determine why states decide to extend political citizenship to their citizens abroad. On the other hand, the influence of the state on its emigrant community seems neglected for the benefit of a post-national vision of citizenship. These are the gaps that this thesis is trying to address. The second part of the thesis presents in three case studies the results of the empirical research conducted in Italy, Belgium and Mexico. Some elements of migration history introduce each case and is then followed by an extensive analysis of the debate on the extension of political citizenship (especially the right to vote from abroad). A special focus is put on the role of internal actors (political parties, administrations.) and external actors (migrants, associations.). In the third part of the thesis, the author conducts a comparative analysis of the three cases. By doing so, the reasons why states extend political citizenship to citizens residing abroad appears clearly. It also leads to reject the post-national vision of citizenship supported by some scholars. After the presentation of the four variables pushing to act as they do in the field of external political citizenship, the thesis concludes by opening up new research tracks in the field of political transnationalism. ; La première partie consiste en une revue de la littérature et une discussion conceptuelle sur les concepts de transnationalisme et de transnationalisme politique dans le champ des études migratoires. Cet exercice met en lumière une série de lacunes dans la recherche actuelle sur les liens entre les émigrés et le pays d'origine. Deux de ces lacunes sont particulièrement mises en évidence. D'une part, il a y la difficulté de dégager les raisons poussant différents états à travers le monde à étendre la citoyenneté politique à leurs citoyens établis à l'étranger, et cela, en raison du faible nombre de projets de recherches comparatifs. D'autre part, le rôle de l'Etat semble négligé dans la littérature existante en raison de la prégnance d'une vision post-nationale de la citoyenneté dans nombre d'études sur les liens entre pays d'origine et émigrés. La deuxième partie est constituée de la restitution des données empiriques collectées dans trois pays: Belgique, Italie, Mexique. Chacun des cas d'étude est introduit pas une brève introduction au profil migratoire du pays. Ensuite, il est procédé à une analyse du débat sur l'extension de la citoyenneté politique entre acteurs internes (partis, administrations, pouvoir judiciaire…) et externes (migrants, associations…). La troisième partie consiste en une analyse comparative des trois cas d'étude. Il ressort de cette analyse que quatre variables poussent les états à étendre la citoyenneté politique externe. Chacune d'entre elles est examinée dans une dimension comparative. Le travail de thèse conclut en soulignant l'apport de la dissertation au champ de la recherche sur le transnationalisme dans les études migratoires et ouvre une série de pistes pour des recherches futures.