Practicing Transnational Citizenship: Dual Nationality and Simultaneous Political Involvement among Emigrants

Acceptance of dual citizenship allows migrants to naturalise in the country of residency without giving up their former citizenship. For migrant sending countries the question emerges whether emigrants who acquired another citizenship are less attached to and active in the country of descent than those who do not. This would be the assumption of traditional perspectives on migration and citizenship. However, according to the transnational perspective neither multiple nationalities, nor participation in and identification with the country of residence, preclude ongoing ties and participation back home. We test these perspectives by surveying Swiss citizens residing in the United States. Our results suggest that Swiss dual citizens in the US are not significantly less attached to and active in Switzerland than their mono national counterparts. Our data further supports the transnational perspective by showing not only simultaneity, but a mutually reinforcing relationship when transnational citizenship is practiced. Identification with and political participation in the country of residence seems positively related to equivalent feelings and activities in the country of descent. Since dual citizenship lays the legal foundation for simultaneous involvement in two countries, it correctly takes a central place in the study of transnational citizenship and in reflections on transnational democracy.