Nations and Migrations
Goals
This course seeks to build the capacity of students in developing critical arguments and
academic discus- sions in the field of migration. At the end of the course, students should
have achieved a thorough theo- retical knowledge and critical comprehension of these
phenomena and key concepts that can help understand the processes of migration and
nation building particularly:
- How migrants construct their identities on the move and how transnational
communities and diasporas develop
- How national communities respond to migration and deal with the diversity that
derives from it
- How migration is governed and controlled by state apparatuses in migrant countries
of origin and destination
- How the bureaucrats and professionals dealing with migration translate migration
policies into everyday practices
- Practical understanding of the implications of migration for development and social
transfor- mation in both origin and destination societies.
Inhoudsopgave
Goals.....................................................................................................................................................................1
Chapter 2 – Categories of Migration....................................................................................................................4
Expatriate, migrant? The social life of migration categories and the polyvalent mobility of race – Sarah Kunz 8
Lecture 08/11.......................................................................................................................................................9
Article - Immigration and Freedom of Association............................................................................................11
Chapter 1 – Introduction....................................................................................................................................15
Chapter 5 – International Migration Before 1945.............................................................................................15
Lecture 09/11.....................................................................................................................................................16
Article – The Future of the European Asylum System, Dystopian or Utopian Expectations..............................16
Chapter 6 – Migration in Europe since 1945......................................................................................................17
Guest lecture 13/11 – Jeroen Dommernik (Europe, Refugees and Panic).........................................................21
Chapter 3 – Theories of Migration.....................................................................................................................24
Lecture 4 – 15/11...............................................................................................................................................31
Stateless Episode 6.............................................................................................................................................34
Lecture 16/11.....................................................................................................................................................35
Agier – Managing the undesirables (2012)........................................................................................................35
,Migration is considered a process rather than a static event because it involves a series of
dynamic and interconnected stages, changes, and actions over time. Here are several
reasons why migration is viewed as a process:
Temporal Dimension: Migration unfolds over time. It typically involves a period of pre-
decision considerations, the actual move, and often a post-migration adjustment phase. The
decision to migrate, the journey itself, and the settlement in a new location all occur at
different points in time.
Decision-Making: Migration involves a decision-making process. Individuals or households
decide to move based on a variety of factors such as economic opportunities, social or
political conditions, and personal aspirations. This decision-making is influenced by a
complex interplay of push and pull factors.
Geographical Mobility: Migration inherently implies geographic mobility. It is not just about
arriving at a new location but also about the physical act of moving from one place to
another. This movement can occur within a country (internal migration) or across national
borders (international migration).
Adaptation and Adjustment: After arriving at a new destination, migrants go through a
process of adaptation and adjustment. This involves acclimating to a new culture, society,
and often a different economic and social environment. The adaptation process is ongoing
and can last for an extended period.
Life Course Changes: Migration often represents a significant life event with implications for
various aspects of individuals' lives. It can affect education, employment, family dynamics,
,and social relationships. The changes that occur throughout the migration process contribute
to its dynamic nature.
Feedback Mechanisms: Migration processes are influenced by feedback mechanisms. Social
networks, for example, play a role in shaping migration patterns. Once migration occurs, the
connections formed in the new location can influence further migration, creating a feedback
loop.
Policy and Legal Frameworks: Migration is also a process because it is subject to policies and
legal frameworks. Governments enact laws and regulations that impact the entry, stay, and
rights of migrants. Changes in these policies can influence migration patterns and
experiences over time.
Cyclical Nature: Migration can be a cyclical process. Some individuals may engage in
temporary or seasonal migration, returning to their home region after a certain period. This
cyclical nature adds to the dynamic character of migration.
Understanding migration as a process helps researchers, policymakers, and society at large
grasp the complexity and multifaceted nature of human mobility. Recognizing the stages and
factors involved in migration is crucial for developing effective policies, supporting migrants,
and studying the broader social, economic, and cultural implications of migration.
, Chapter 2 – Categories of Migration
Important to make a distinction between
- Analytical categories mainly by researchers and some policy makers
- Administrative categories used by governments and states
- Discursive categories mainly used by politicans and media.
Migration can be defined as a change of residency across administrative borders.
In Europe lower-skilled workers are seen as ‘migrant workers’, but higher-skilled workers
often designated as ‘expats’.
Due to the ‘invention of agriculture’ people were allowed to settle down permanently in a
process also known as sedentarization. Before this, people were always on the move. It also
allowed the emergence of states, which had a vital interest in controlling resident
populations for political, military and economic purposes.
Human mobility
Refers to all forms of human movement outside of their direct living place and social
environment, irrespective of the distance and time-period implied, or whether this involves
the crossing of administrative borders. Non-migratory and migratory mobility are subsets of
human mobility.
Migratory mobility
Equals migration and involves the change of residence across administrative borders.
Non-migratory mobility
Comprises all forms of mobility that do not qualify as migration (commuting, tourism)