The aim of this thesis is to explore connections between the notions of EU citizenship and mobility across national borders. Movement or mobility across the European territory is made possible and promoted by EU citizenship, but 'citizenship as practice' needs time and a location to develop. Different aspects of citizenship including status, legal rights, as well as 'soft' understandings of citizenship as belonging and national identity become particularly discemible in the context ofintemational mobility. The recent migration of nationals of the European countries that joined the European Union in 2004 (A8 nationals) provides the case study for this thesis' analysis of how the post-national concept of (EU) citizenship permits and constrains mobility at different spatial scales. Firstly, I show how, despite a strong nominal emphasis on democratic and political rights, the combination ofEU citizenship and mobility implies market dependence for A8 nationals in Southport (UK). The mobility of EU citizens from the accession countries of 2004 in Southport combines intemational, geographical, residential and labour market mobility. These different forms of mobility happen 'sideways' through particular segments of the housing and labour markets. Locally developed infrastructures achieve a 'mooring' of this type of mobility in a living situation best described as protracted temporariness: an extended period characterised by temporary and often precarious living and working conditions. Secondly, my research highlights how migrants engage with mobilities and citizenship to resolve the tensions inherent in the two concepts by developing a nested hierarchy of belonging. Over time, A8 nationals acquire a position in the local process of the place-making of Southport. While this place-making ignores differentiation among the heterogeneous group of A8 nationals, it provides for a locally situated and recognised construction of 'hard- working' and 'temporary' migrant workers that is potentially exclusive to some members of the group of A8 nationals. While locally more powerful, this image differs substantially from the idea of the EU citizen. Despite their EU citizenship status and rights, A8 nationals find themselves in disadvantaged positions in local labour and housing markets. 2
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:573759 |
| Date | January 2012 |
| Creators | Forsberg, Christianne Wirth |
| Publisher | University of Oxford |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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