Migration and Transnationalism Between Switzerland and Bulgaria, New York: Springer

This book explores trends in migration from Bulgaria to Switzerland since Bulgaria joined the European Union (EU) in 2007. Due to several unique factors, this in-depth case provides a basis for understanding transnational migration in a wider European context. Bulgarians represent a fairly small community within Switzerland, and are quite scattered throughout the region. In Switzerland, apart from differences in linguistic regions and the federal system, there are significant regional disparities, providing several different contexts for exploring this transnational migration, causes and consequences. The first part of the book examines who migrates and why, exploring regional disparities within Bulgaria. The book investigates the impact of economic differences, educational background, and other factors that play into immigrants' motivations to move. The next part of the book examines different migratory movements and transnational practices between Switzerland, Bulgaria, and other destination countries for Bulgarian immigrants. It addresses larger shifts and impacts resulting from migration, with impacts at the household, community, and national levels. Finally, the book analyses all of these factors within the context of shifting immigration policies. This work draws on mixed-method empirical research conducted in both countries over a three-year period, analyzed within four major frameworks: transnationalism and migrant networks, social inequality, regional disparities and development, and immigration policies. The results will be of interest for researchers interested in a variety of social science fields, including sociology, social psychology, law, public policy, political science, international studies, demography and exploring issues related to social disparities, crime and deviance and economic inequality