The Transnational Villagers, provides insights to the political, social and economic issues that are evolving in todays context. Among the Supported by popular recognition of globalization as well as the growth of local cultural groups, migrants are better able to preserve their heritage while at the same successfully adapting to their host communities. Levitt illustrates this phenomenon in the relationship between the town of Miraflores in the Dominican Republic and Bostons Jamaica Plain. The interaction between the two communities, distinctively a two-way exchange, has been akin to hybridization, creating new perspectives regarding critical issues such as gender, race and socio-cultural identity. Among the key concepts that Levitt discusses to explore the relationship between Miraflores and Jamaica plain are the rise of transnational villages or communities in the wake of globalization and the significance of social remittances in this process. According to Levitt, one of the most remarkable facets of the study is the realization how much groups from host and home countries involve themselves in the social, cultural and political activities of the other becoming significant stakeholders in either communities. This has brought about the conceptualization of transnationalism in host and home countries, a phenomenon that Levitt anticipates to become a standard cultural community groups.
According to Levitt, the large scale migration to the US of Dominicans has been relatively recent and can be closely associated with the US domination of Dominican economics and politics particularly in the twentieth century. However the interaction between the two countries can be traced farther back into the colonial period with the US repeatedly having to intervene significantly in the country to stabilize political and economic conditions (p. 31). In the context of the book, transnationalism involves the subsistence of cultural, social and political concepts across locations. There are some concepts that re intrinsically transnational, such as those associated with religion or faith (p. 169). On the other hand concepts regarding gender roles or social status may not have the same treatment. Miraflores is used to illustrate values and traditions while Jamaica Plain serves as a model of aspiration. These descriptions are strongly rooted in the economic perceptions that motivated migration to the more economically developed US. Levitt further points out that the means by which these categorizations develop through the interactions between host and home communities and may have particularly motivations depending on the contexts of their development. The implication is that transnationalism is a reflection of developing social phenomena (pp. 73-75). Moreover, Levitts description of the interaction or exchange as a dynamic process suggests a collaborative quality to the interaction between Miraflores and Jamaica Plain.
The main channel of more of transnationalism that Levitt discusses is the process of social remittance. Social remittance are characterized to be flow of ideas, customs, roles and other social concepts and values that are exchanged between home and host communities or countries (p. 73). Social remittances also perpetuate transnational villages or communities even after migration, thus supporting continue social remittances among beyond original migrant members. Common manifestations of the relationship between Miraflores and Jamaica plain can be seen in the remittances, exchange of products and goods and the celebration of events or celebrations. The degree of social remittances also serve to strengthen transnational villages, allowing migrants to develop positive sense of self worth and purpose by mitigating feelings of isolation or marginalization that migrants may feel (p.73). According to Levitt, this has reinforced Dominican customs and traditions among Dominican communities such as those in Jamaica Plain. This has served to reinforce not only cultural identity but also the relevance of its ties with Miraflores. The similarity of the resulting social experience suggests an intimacy between individual communities, thus creating a platform for sensitivity and action for issues and concerns.
For many migrants, the need to keep in touch with their home communities is a luxury that is not always available. The dynamics that exist between the two communities suggest that regardless of the perceived advantages host or home communities have over the maintenance of Dominican cultural communities, economically, politically or socially, the exchange has a high potential of creating positivism for each other. However, when they can be developed such as in the case of Miraflores and Jamaica Plain, there is wealth of mutual support and benefit that can be developed. Thus, Levitt believes that the phenomena of transnational villages will continue to grow in prominence and there will be greater recognition of the importance of developing insights into social remittance processes. Levitts recognition of the rise of these transnational villages is a testament to the social implications of globalizations. At the same time, there is also a realization of the significance of social remittances to home and host countries alike because of the creation of channels for interaction and involvement between communities.
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