Global Migration

Migration has been one of the most important forces shaping political, economic, social and cultural life in the modern world. While fewer than 3 percent of the world’s people live outside of their country of birth, migration directly or indirectly affects almost everybody through wage and price adjustments, transformations in gender relations, the introduction of new cultural influences, and the like. Migration, in this sense, is truly ‘global’, and it can be thought of as both an outcome of, and a force shaping, ‘globalization’. Today, migration poses multiple challenges and opportunities to both sending and receiving societies. In receiving societies, for instance, migration can help to sustain declining industries but can also lead to a questioning of the meaning and value of national identities. In sending societies, emigration can lead to the loss of talent, as doctors, engineers, and other professionals seek opportunities in wealthier economies; yet it can also serve as a crucial source of foreign exchange for struggling economies. Current economic, political, and environmental pressures associated with globalization are likely to increase the number of people who wish to move across national borders. Whether or not they actually make it to their intended destination, these potential migrants will have impacts on societies worldwide, both in the West and in non-Western/developing-world contexts. The purpose of this book, therefore, is to equip students with an understanding of these complex issues so that they will be able to think critically about, and to participate constructively in, contemporary migration debates. By providing a clear, concise, and well-organized discussion of historical patterns and contemporary trends, the book will guide readers through what is often a difficult and politicised topic. On a more practical note, the book will serve as a guide for instructors in structuring their courses and in identifying important bodies of scholarly research on migration issues.

Dr Elizabeth Mavroudi is a Lecturer in Human Geography in the Department of Geography at Loughborough University, UK.

Dr Caroline Nagel is an Associate Professor of Geography at the University of South Carolina, USA.