Anthropology of Transnationalism and the State

Overview

Key Features

Transnationalism and the nature of the state are the focal points of the Master program, as the state is now being fundamentally affected by transnational circulation processes, such as migration, international laws and agreements, and economic interconnections. At the same time, these circulation processes are structured on the basis of actions taken by states. Because state power also manifests itself in laws or the refusal to conform to the latter, the program also pays particular attention to legal-anthropological issues such as the regulation of borders, resource utilization, transnational production and consumption chains, and human rights. 

Migration is also addressed, as labor migration and transnational families have created global links of support and care. The Anthropology of Transnationalism and the State program at the University of Bern also examines the extent to which cultural and ethnic diversity are protected or restricted; the mechanisms states use to integrate or exclude members of society; the different ways immigration and emigration and the awarding of citizenship or the refusal to do so are managed; differences in the definition of citizenship; and the role played by transnational practices and Diasporas. 

The program introduces students to theories and ethnographic studies in the fields addressed at the institute – for example, religion, economy, kinship, gender and sexuality – all in the context of globalization. Although the Master program does not have a specific regional focus, ATS studies generally involve regions that are of special interest at the Institute of Social Anthropology – i.e. Europe, southern Africa and southeast and southwest Asia.