Situating the self in global context: Reconceptualizing transnational and cosmopolitan identities

Abstract

Scholars interested in the effects of globalization oninternationally mobile individuals have tended to study this by drawing comparisons between national identity and transnationalism (i.e., connectedness and involvement in more than one country simultaneously) and cosmopolitanism (i.e., a sense of belonging to the world as a whole rather than a single nation). Empirical patterns generally suggest the pervasiveness and resilience of national identity even among globally mobile populations, but findings do show that international experience can bring about changes to individual identity. By comparing transnationalism and cosmopolitanism to national identity, the extant literature makes a tacit assumption that these identities are groupbased. The social psychological literature on identity refers to three different types, or bases, of identity: group, role, and person. This paper argues for a reconceptualization of transnationalism and cosmopolitanism as role-or personbased identities, and outlines several avenues for research based on this reconceptualization.

Towards a Richer Understanding of Language and Identity in the MNC: Constructing Cosmopolitan Identities Through “English”

“…Some scholars argue that a moderated or weakened national identity is a critical feature of cosmopolitanism (Norris & Inglehart, 2009;Pichler, 2012), while acknowledging that a national identity may be a necessary condition for its development (Smith, 2007;Turner, 2002). Watson (2018) proposes a consensus definition of cosmopolitan identity as "supranational", not directly attached to any national culture.…”

“…Scholars have described many types of cosmopolitanism (e.g., Rapport & Stade, 2007) and its components (e.g., Pichler, 2012). Watson (2018) summarizes the common themes in the literature as including global mobility and affiliations; the appreciation of diversity and solidarity with strangers, including support for human rights more broadly; a preference for the cross-cultural consumption of goods; and a sense of identity or belonging to a "global we" that transcends borders (e.g. Pichler, 2012;Rapport & Stade, 2007;Vertovec & Cohen, 2002).…”

“…Beck, 2004;Hannerz, 1990). As Watson (2018) argues, a cosmopolitan identity is understood as a "supranational" expression of selfhood, national identity being one -but not the dominant -marker (Smith, 2007;Turner, 2002), alongside others such as profession (e.g. Vertovec & Cohen, 2002).…”