globalisation and migration

Globalisation definition

• societies are becoming more connected across borders

Globalisation

• It’s driven by things like global media, communication tech, and expansion of organisations like the EU.

• One major effect is increased international migration — more people moving between countries.

Types of migrants

• Permanent settlers

• Temporary workers

• Spouses

• Refugees and asylum seekers

• Legal status varies — some have full rights, others don’t.

Class differences

• Citizens: Full legal rights (e.g. voting, benefits). Harder to acquire since the 1970s.

• Denizens: Privileged foreign nationals (e.g. wealthy elites, multinational execs).

• Helots: Most exploited — used for cheap labour, often trafficked or stuck in low-paid, unskilled jobs.

Feminisation of migration

• Nearly half of global migrants today are women.

• Female migrants are often pushed into stereotypical roles — domestic, care, or sex work.

• Ehrenreich & Hochschild-

  • Growth of service jobs in the West (which often hire women).

  • Western women working more and doing less domestic labour.

  • Western men still unwilling to do domestic work.

  • Lack of state childcare support.

Mail order brides

a woman who lists herself in catalogues in a selected by a man for marriage

Migrant identities

• Identity comes from many sources — family, ethnicity, religion, nationality.

• Migrants often develop hybrid identities — blending cultures.

Transnational identities

• Globalisation has made migration more fluid - less about settling permanently.

• Migrants often feel connected to multiple cultures - transnational identities.

• These identities allow global ties without full assimilation.

• Example: Chinese migrants in London maintain Mandarin and traditions due to strong global networks and London’s economic importance.

Politicisation of migration

• Migration is now a major political issue - tied to national identity and citizenship.

• Assimilation: Traditional view that migrants should adopt host culture’s language, values, customs.

• Many migrants resist full assimilation -prefer to keep cultural identity.

Diversity types

• ekinsen

• Shallow diversity: Accepted (e.g. chicken tikka masala).

• Deep diversity: Rejected (e.g. arranged marriages, veiling).

• Multiculturalism is criticised for celebrating shallow diversity but ignoring deeper cultural tensions.

• Education policies sometimes push migrant children to assimilate.