Migration studies final term
Chapter 3 theories (repetition): NELM = important for the final term as its mentioned in
several chapters
Theory Core idea Important Aspects
Push-Pull Models Migration is driven by Push factors: population
'push' factors in areas of growth, political
origin and 'pull' factors in oppression. Pull factors:
destination areas. economic opportunities,
political freedom. Criticized
for its lack of explanatory
power and deterministic
assumptions.
Neoclassical Migration Migration as a result of Migrants are rational
Theory geographical differences in individuals who perform
labor demand and supply. cost-benefit analyses.
Long-term: equilibrium in
wages between regions.
Criticized for unrealistic
assumptions, such as
perfect market functioning
and complete information.
Historical-Structural Migration as a result of Migration as a result of
Theories capitalist exploitation and capitalist exploitation and
structural inequality. structural inequality.
Highlights unequal power
distribution and the
exploitation of labor
migrants as cheap labor.
Migration reinforces social
inequalities.
Dual Labour Market Theory Migration is driven by a Separation of labor markets
structural demand for low- into primary and secondary
skilled labor in receiving sectors. Migrants fill
countries. positions in the secondary
market that are rejected by
local workers.
New Economics of Labour Families invest in migration
Migration (NELM) to diversify income sources
Migration as a collective
and ensure social security.
household strategy to
It considers risks and
spread risks and diversify
relative deprivation rather
income.
than solely focusing on
income maximization.
Migration Transition Migration changes during Development initially
Theories the development and increases emigration,
modernization of societies. followed by a decline as
incomes rise. Migration
patterns are non-linear and
evolve with socio-economic
transformation.
Aspirations-Capabilities Migration is determined by Migration is driven by
Model the aspirations and economic growth and
capabilities of individuals. improved access to
education, transportation,
and information.
Aspirations may decline as
opportunities in the home
, region improve.
Migration Networks Social networks reduce the Migrants maintain social
costs and risks of ties that facilitate further
migration, making it self- migration. Social
sustaining. structures, such as
communities and migration
industries, contribute to the
continuation of migration
flows.
Dependency and World Migration as a result of Workers from peripheral
Systems Theory inequality between core countries are used as
and peripheral countries cheap labor in core
within the capitalist world countries. Inequality is
system. exacerbated by selective
immigration policies and
economic exploitation.
Globalization Theory Globalization accelerates Global connections
migration through increase mobility but can
advancements in also replace migration
transportation, through labor outsourcing.
communication, and The effects of globalization
economic integration. are ambivalent and often
result in unequal power
dynamics.
Chapter 10 the state, politics and migration
Migration is an inherently political phenomenon: concept of mirgation implies residency
and the idea that people have a fixed place where they belong and where they can be
located and controlled.
- Hukou system = chinese policy to control internal migration introduced in 1958
Altho governemntal policies may affect patterns and to some extent the pace of
urbanization, efforts to make populations stay in rural areas have failed, because they
ignore the fact that the massive transfer of economic activities and population from rural
to urban areas is an intrinsic and therefore inevitable part of industrialization and
modernization.
In the case of international migration, the perceived need to control immigration is
tied up with the privileges associated with modern citizenship, dividing working
classes into citizens and non-citizens (piore)
= controlling immigration isn’t just about deciding who can come into a country. It’s also
about protecting the special rights and benefits that citizens have, like access to
healthcare, education, and better jobs. This creates a clear divide between citizens and
non-citizens. Immigrants often end up with less secure and lower-paying jobs because
they don’t have the same rights (political, economic, social, legal and civic) as citizens.
These immigration rules make this divide even bigger and can increase unfairness,
especially in the workplace)
Controling migration is inherent to modern statehood > control does not mean prevent or
restrict movement, but; states are focused on surveillance, ability of states to monitor
population movement through administrative tools.
Movement can be free yet highly controlled (for example Germany introducing
border checks, so they are ‘highly’ controlling, but movement is still free because
of Schengen zone)
, Pre-industrial era, states more concerned about controlling emigration (because you need
people for taxation and military power + slaves cant escape), now more concerns about
immigration > exit revolution
Exit revolution: shift in mirgation policies, long term process of states gradually
losing their motivation to control emigration from the mid 19th century (started in
europe after french revolution)
Diaspora = is a group of people who come from the same place originally but have
moved to different countries, often because they were forced to leave their homeland.
Even though they live in different places, they feel a strong connection to each other and
to their shared history. They often keep their culture, traditions, and ties alive across
generations and across the countries where they now live (for example the jews they feel
a strong sense of solidarity and shared identity, while maintaining ties to Israel as their
ancestral homeland, even tho they live in different countries)
Diaspora engagement policies are partly driven by economic concerns such as
facilitating remittances, but take on broader pilitical significance (by reinforcing
cultural identity, building global alliances, and ensuring ongoing support for
Israel’s political goals and security)
One policy to maintain ties with emigrants is through their participation in origin country
elections. Electoral campaigning increasingly reflects the significant weight of voters
abroad (because their votes are often critical during election races) (for example Turkish
diaspora in germany):
This can create tension with destination country govt who may see this as an
infringement on sovereignty (particularly when migrants acquired citizenship)
It may fuel xenophobic discourses to which migrants would foster double loyalties
and be unwilling to integrate
Countries where migrants originally come from want to maintain strong connections with
their citizens who move abroad. They don’t want migrants to completely shift their loyalty
to the country where they now live. Because of this, origin states often oppose policies in
the destination country that require migrants to fully commit their allegiance, such as
giving up their original citizenship to become citizens of the new country. (example:
Morocco has no mechanisms for opgeven citizenship making them double citizens)
Migration as increasing state power
Immigration can boost economic growth and has frequently bien viewed as
indispensavle to a state’s well-being and power
Immigrants are often recruited into the army
Immigration policies can also contribute to ‘soft power’ = the ability of states to
achieve foreign policy and security objectives through political and cultural
relations without recourse to military or economic coercion (ecample: foreign
students, because they help build positive long term linkages)
One of the most important development migration politics in post Cold War = linking
migration to security > securitization (= a procession of social construction that linking
migration to security issues in discourse and policy, either through the portrayal of
migrants and ethnic minorities as potential criminals, rapist or terrorist, or the portrayal
of migration more in general as a threat tot he cultural and religious identity of
destination societies)
3 categories of perceived threats associated with migrant and minorities:
1. Threat to culture and identity of destination countries (ex: muslims in Europe)
2. Socioeconomic threat (ex: jews in nazi germany)
3. Politically disloyal or subserive (ex: japanese in the US during WW2)
Portraying them as a threat to security can be very powerful: it serves to create a climate
of fear which allows politicians to position themselves as strong leaders and thereby
