Although migration scholars have long acknowledged the need to move beyond opposing binaries (Cohen 1995: 5-6), these continue to dominate thinking about migration. Binary categories may have been useful analytical tools to heuristically... more
Although migration scholars have long acknowledged the need to move beyond opposing binaries (Cohen 1995: 5-6), these continue to dominate thinking about migration. Binary categories may have been useful analytical tools to heuristically map the field of migration studies, but they have limited explanatory value when it comes to assessing different forms of mobility, particularly in the complex new global map of migrations. Currently, new space-time flexibilisations and forces of globalisation are changing the modalities of and motivations for migration in ways that render those binaries obsolete. King (2002), reprising Cohen’s initial formulation, critically comments on binaries such as internal–international, voluntary–forced, temporary–permanent, and legal–illegal migration, proposing ways to transcend them. To these dualisms, we further add the distinction between origin and destination countries, which – despite holding some elements of truth – rests upon assumptions of a direct causal relationship between migration and development, treating developing countries as sources of emigration and developed ones as destinations for migrants. The reification of
This paper seeks to lay out—in a comprehensive yet concise way—how migration comes about. It stops short of prescribing particular policy interventions, but lays the foundation for identifying how migration dynamics and their outcomes may... more
This paper seeks to lay out—in a comprehensive yet concise way—how migration comes about. It stops short of prescribing particular policy interventions, but lays the foundation for identifying how migration dynamics and their outcomes may be shaped by government policy. The paper presents a model of migration that draws upon recent developments in migration theory. It is broadly applicable across different categories of migrants, including refugees. The model is built around three steps: (1) The formation of a desire for change. This is driven by people’s current conditions, their perception of prospects for the future, and their life aspirations. The desire for change may be focused on personal security, living conditions, professional development, or other spheres of life. (2) The channelling of a desire for change into migration aspirations. People could respond to a desire for change by seeking a future elsewhere. Alternatively, they could pursue local opportunities—either for changing their personal circumstances or contributing to social change. These responses could be constructive (e.g. pursuing education, entrepreneurship, or political activism) or destructive (e.g. radicalization or violent mobilization). (3) The outcomes of migration aspirations. A wish to migrate could be converted into actual migration, depended on opportunities and resources. But it could also result in an unsuccessful migration attempt in the form of death, being trapped en route, or having to return against one’s will. A third outcome is involuntary immobility—wishing to leave but being unable to do so. This is a largely invisible outcome, but a potentially damaging one for individuals and communities.
Marokko kann einerseits als generalisierbares Beispiel für die Beziehungen zwischen der EU und ihrer unmittelbaren Peripherie gesehen werden, andererseits aber auch als Indikator für eine zukünftige Verschiebung im Kräfteverhältnis... more
Marokko kann einerseits als generalisierbares Beispiel für die Beziehungen zwischen der EU und ihrer unmittelbaren Peripherie gesehen werden, andererseits aber auch als Indikator für eine zukünftige Verschiebung im Kräfteverhältnis zwischen der EU und den mittelmeerischen Anrainerstaaten der MENA Region sowie einer veränderten außenpolitischen Orientierung dieser Staaten. Während die subsaharische Transitmigration in Marokko im Scheinwerferlicht der Medien und im Mittelpunkt der euromediterranen Verhandlungen steht, werden andere Migrationsströme aus Afrika und Europa in Richtung Marokko ignoriert. Diese Migrationsformen hängen mit sehr unterschiedlichen Prozessen zusammen und sind nicht nur eine Konsequenz des Scheiterns der Transitmigration nach Europa. Der Beitrag soll dazu dienen, diese unterschiedlichen Facetten und Faktoren der Migration nach Marokko besser zu beleuchten. Gleichzeitig wird nach der Rolle staatlicher Maßnahmen und anderer Prozesse gefragt, die direkt und indirekt die Migration nach Marokko beeinflussen. Schließlich soll auch aufgezeigt werden, dass die Einwanderung von Europäern und Afrikanern nach Marokko nicht nur zu einer dauerhaften Sesshaftigkeit dieser Gruppen führt, sondern auch zur Verstärkung der Zirkulation und somit zur Migrationstransition des Landes beiträgt.
Turkey's policies on international migration and migrants, concerning both inflows and outflows, have undergone a great transformation since the early 1990s. 1 This process includes a variety of changes in the administrative and... more
Turkey's policies on international migration and migrants, concerning both inflows and outflows, have undergone a great transformation since the early 1990s. 1 This process includes a variety of changes in the administrative and legislative arrangements in the country: from dual citizenship policies to diaspora politics, from asylum regimes to visa regulations, from work permits for foreigners to new border management. This process has been greatly affected by the country's relations with the European Union (EU) and its ...
The paper problematizes the concept of transit migration and analyzes individual adaptation strategies used by migrants from the former Soviet Union and South Asian countries. These migrants transited through Ukraine and ended up in the... more
The paper problematizes the concept of transit migration and analyzes individual adaptation strategies used by migrants from the former Soviet Union and South Asian countries. These migrants transited through Ukraine and ended up in the country when their plans for further migration to European Union countries or the United States of America did not materialize. It examines how migration outcomes are affected by the migrants' social capital and sheds light on their alternative resources to cope with life in Ukraine given limited state support. The results show significant differences in the adaptation and possibilities for legal ways to migrate to other countries for migrants coming from Central Asia, Afghanistan and other Asian countries.
Transit migration is widely considered a concern and even security threat to the EU and the integrity of its borders. It is a popular concept that gained prominence since the mid-1990s and is applied to mixed flows consisting of refugees,... more
Transit migration is widely considered a concern and even security threat to the EU and the integrity of its borders. It is a popular concept that gained prominence since the mid-1990s and is applied to mixed flows consisting of refugees, labour, and other types of migrants. It is often confused with irregular migration, refugee flows, trafficking, and even with secondary movements; it is also frequently associated with human smuggling and assumed organized crime. Empirical evidence, however, is scarce and the phenomenon still lacks a definition; thus, the concept is as vague and blurred as it is politicized. This volume addresses all these shortcomings; instead it offers an evidence-based, comprehensive, and sound approach. It comprehensively covers the entire belt of countries in the neighbourhood of the EU ranging from Russia to Morocco. Transit migration is critically analysed from the perspective of sending, transit, and receiving countries. It improves understanding refugee and irregular migration flows, transnational migration networks, and overlapping migration systems, impact of different border regimes as well as migration to middle income countries and subsequently the migration transition from migrant sending to migrant receiving countries
