Levitt, Peggy, Dobbs, Erica, Chich-Yan Sun, Ken, Paul, Ruxandra. 2023. Transnational Social Protection: Social Welfare Across National Borders. Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 240.

Abstract

Transnational Social Protection makes a significant contribution to the literature on international migration, welfare state, safety nets and social policy. It explores the dynamic interplay between international migrants and their families, highlighting their mutual support and protection amidst changing welfare state landscapes worldwide. It navigates the intricate conjunction where welfare states are scaling back, placing increasing responsibility on families for caregiving and protecting one another, all the while individuals embark on international journeys for education, employment, retirement or seeking health care, aiming to secure their own well-being and that of their loved ones. These macro-level shifts in state policies, societal structures and global economies, particularly amid rising inequalities, profoundly affect individuals and families worldwide. In line with existing literature, this book challenges the traditional, nationally bounded models of social protection in the context of increasing international migration, highlighting the need for a broader perspective in understanding social protection systems beyond national borders.

Based on their previous work (Dobbs & Levitt, 2017; Levitt et al., 2017; Paul, 2017) and existing literature (Bilecen & Barglowski, 2015; Faist, 2019; Faist et al., 2015; Ho et al., 2021), the authors introduce a novel concept in this book: ‘Hybrid transnational social protection’. The term ‘transnational’ encompasses not only the bi-directional interactions between countries of origin and destination but also extends to scenarios where individuals may undergo multiple migrations over their lifetimes, gaining access to multiple social protection systems. The authors argue to employ the term ‘hybrid’ to capture the diverse, flexible, and contingent nature of these arrangements. ‘Hybrid transnational social protection’ refers to a wide spectrum of policies, initiatives, individuals, organizations and institutions that cater to and safeguard individual migrants and their families across borders, irrespective of whether these movements are voluntary, forced, permanent, short-term or cyclical in nature. However, the author's'' decision to introduce the term ‘hybrid’ into the terminology raises some questions because earlier research on transnational social protection exactly advocated for similar ideas (e.g. Boccagni, 2017; Serra Mingot & Mazzucato, 2018). The distinct contribution that hybridity brings to this body of literature remains unclear.

The book features seven chapters, including introduction and conclusion. Five chapters explore crucial aspects of social protection across an individual's life, such as family caregiving, education, labour, health and ageing, all significant in shaping one's journey through social protection.

The first chapter provides an extensive examination of family life, offering a comprehensive analysis of children's circumstances. It addresses five key issues concerning children: those left behind, non-citizen children born or raised in destination countries, children sent ahead, children sent back, and internationally adopted children. Each of these cases focuses on how families organize transnational social protection in different contexts, addressing varying circumstances. It explores the impact of families' socio-economic backgrounds on resource distribution and their embeddedness within different resource environments.

The second chapter adopts a distinct approach, deviating from the specific focus on particular groups and instead examines education as a substantial investment in social protection, facilitating upward social mobility. It highlights education as a fundamental human right and explores its evolution into a global industry. It is structured into two main sections: education-driven migration and migration-driven education. These subsections scrutinize how the state manages education, shapes curriculum, determines access and regulates degree recognition. The authors have incorporated a broad range of stakeholders, including civil society organizations, mayors, educators, religious institutions and legislators, providing a comprehensive examination of the diverse facets of education, mobility and transnational social protection.

The third chapter delves into the realm of labour, offering a distinct approach that shifts the focus from varying actors' perspectives, as observed in the preceding chapters, to a detailed exploration of distinct resource environments including the state, the market, civil society organizations and unions. This chapter highlights the significance of the state in safeguarding the rights of migrant workers, despite ongoing retrenchment. However, it is worth noting that this chapter does not fully explore the role of networks in the labour context, an aspect that one might have anticipated given its otherwise comprehensive examination of labour dynamics.

The fourth chapter focuses on health, whereas the fifth chapter examines ageing and elder care. Despite their differing focal points, both chapters emphasize various mobility groups, institutional frameworks and associated resource environments. These chapters take an in-depth look at how different mobility patterns interact with and are influenced by their resource environments, providing valuable insights into the complex interplay of factors within these critical aspects of social protection. The conclusion chapter synthesizes all the key arguments presented throughout the book. It highlights the central role of the state in the realm of social protection, while also acknowledging the resourcefulness and resilience displayed by international migrants and their families in the absence of state-sponsored social protection.

While the authors acknowledge the role of social networks in the context of social protection, they often present it as fallback options or alternatives to other institutions that offer social protection, without affording it the same level of significance as some existing works in the literature (e.g. Bilecen & Barglowski, 2015; Gehring, 2016). The authors recognize that not all migrants are surrounded by supportive individuals, and their resources might be limited and unreliable, highlighting the complexities within social networks. However, it lacks a systematic analysis of resources within networks. Nonetheless, the authors present a promising call to action for scholars to explore and delve into these less-explored avenues.

In the final subsection of the conclusion chapter, the authors draw attention to key challenges faced by policymakers and advocates. These include the tension between the state's social contract with its citizens, the need for social cohesion to uphold social democratic policies, and the question of who deserves access to various resources and how newcomers' access should be regulated. The chapter calls for a reassessment of the role of the state in terms of how far it can protect both its citizens and residents while striving to ensure equal safeguarding. This inquiry could have been extended to the fairness of the rules and regulations governing state social protection systems. The chapter prompts a reevaluation of the boundaries of community, exploring the responsibilities and obligations that community members hold toward each other. Here, inclusion of considerations on solidarity and factors that bind communities together would have been useful (e.g. Bauböck & Scholten, 2016; Tilly, 1973; Wellman, 1979).

This book stands out for its exceptional quality as it offers a comprehensive perspective on transnational social protection, drawing from diverse examples spanning the globe. By encompassing a wide array of examples, it provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of the topic, making it an invaluable resource for a nuanced and far-reaching exploration of transnational social protection. I recommend this book to scholars of international migration, social protection and social policy. All the chapters maintain an excellent balance of perspectives from various stakeholders, encompassing state entities, non-governmental organizations, hometown associations, religious institutions, migrants with diverse mobility experiences and backgrounds. This approach effectively paints a comprehensive portrait of transnational social protection. Each chapter is thoughtfully crafted, offering an in-depth exploration of the respective subject area and providing ample evidence from a variety of countries. Moreover, all chapters can be invaluable for educators looking to incorporate them into their undergraduate and graduate-level courses that focus on social policy, social and institutional change, welfare state and international migration. Specifically, Chapters 2–5 could be used to give undergraduate students a comprehensive overview of each realm of social protection, which can then be complemented with additional country-case examples and materials.

The opinions expressed in this Book Review are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors, Editorial Board, International Organization for Migration nor John Wiley & Sons.