Transnational vs. international

Torsten · July 8, 2006, 2:27pm

Yesterday we had a discussion with a group of German professionals. We tried to find an answer as to why the vast majority of organizations, companies, products and concepts that are well-known throught the world originate in the US.

One person suggested that when it comes to globally operating organizations, there is a difference between an international and a transnational organization. He tried to explain what that difference might be and I’d like to ask you to share your opinion on this: Do you think there is a difference between the words international and transnational?

Thanks in advance,
Torsten[YSaerTTEW443543]

TOEFL listening lectures: Which designer did not work at the Bauhaus?[YSaerTTEW443543]

Yankee · July 8, 2006, 9:03pm

Hi Torsten

For me transnational has the sense of “transcending borders” (almost a “borderless” idea).
The word international keeps the idea of clearly defined borders in tact.

Amy

Tamara · July 8, 2006, 9:08pm

Hi
Amy, Wikipedia agrees with you.

Transnational (or transnationalism) focuses on the heightened interconnectivity between people all around the world and the loosening of boundaries between countries. Transnationalism has social, political and economic impacts that affect people all around the globe.

Very careful distinctions are now being made between international or multinational – relationships between and among nation-states – and transnational – relationships between and among individuals and other entities, regardless of nation-state boundaries.

…Transnational is often linked to internationalism but differs in the sense that internationalism proper refers to global co-operation between nation states, while transnationalism aims to global co-operation between peoples, and the obliteration of nation states.

Whereas international includes the dealings between the government of one nation-state with the government of another nation-state, or of several nation-states, transnational covers activity which transcends national boundaries and in which nation-state governments do not play the most important or even a significant role.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transnational

27029450 · July 9, 2006, 3:47pm

Globalization access to a fact but is not a fact.
Translational relation never dominate international politics