Transnasjonale

Transnasjonale, or transnational, describes phenomena, actors, and networks that operate across national borders and connect societies in ways that extend beyond the traditional boundaries of the state. In the social sciences the term is used to analyze how people, organizations, and markets maintain ties and collaborate across countries, creating relations that are not confined to a single nation.

Transnasjonale dynamics involve flows of people, capital, information and ideas. They include migrant and diaspora networks, cross-border business and supply chains, international non-governmental organizations, faith networks, and transborder political activism. Transnasjonale actors can influence policy and public life in multiple places, not merely in the origin or host country of individuals or organizations. Researchers distinguish between transnasjonale processes—the cross-border interactions and exchanges—and transnasjonale actors—the entities involved in those exchanges.

The term also serves to distinguish transnational perspectives from strictly national or multinational viewpoints. Transnasjonale approaches emphasize ongoing, reciprocal relations that cut across borders rather than centralized control by a single state. In governance and policy, transnasjonale networks may cooperate on global issues such as migration, climate, or human rights, while also raising questions about accountability and sovereignty.

Examples include multinational corporations with globally integrated production, remittance flows from migrant workers, international NGOs operating across multiple countries, and diaspora communities maintaining political, economic, and cultural ties to several nations.