Transnational corporation

Transnationality is a principle of carrying out an action across national borders, so as to have effects at a more general level. It is commonly referred to with reference to the actions of the European Union (EU), in distinction to 'international' (among national governments and controlled by them) or 'supranational' (suggesting powers delegated to a higher level of government).

According to the principle of subsidiarity, actions ought to be taken at the lowest level of government possible, so as to maximise democratic accountability and responsiveness to people's needs. The actions of the EU are therefore often justified by reference to 'transnational added value'. This means that the lessons of the experience of one country may prove useful in another.

Transnational company

A commercial enterprise that operates substantial facilities, does business in more than one country and does not consider any particular country its national home. One of the significant advantages of a transnational company is that they are able to maintain a greater degree of responsiveness to the local markets where they maintain facilities.

See also

• Randolph Bourne