Chapter 3: Migration

Key Questions

1. What is migration?

2. Why do people migrate?

3. Where do people migrate?

4. How do governments affect migration?

What is Migration?

• Definition of Migration

  • Movement that affects the distribution of peoples and alters the character of places.

  • Changes individuals and their perceptions of the world.

  • Speeds the diffusion of ideas and innovations.

• Types of Movement

  • Cyclic Movement

    • Regular journeys that return to the starting point (e.g., daily commuting).

    • Examples:

      • Daily routines create activity spaces.

      • Seasonal movement (e.g., migration to warmer climates).

      • Nomadism, which is purposeful and follows familiar routes.

  • Periodic Movement

    • Longer periods away from home, not necessarily returning to the same place.

    • Examples:

      • Migrant laborers moving for employment.

      • Transhumance, where livestock are moved seasonally.

  • Actual Migration

    • Permanent relocation across significant distances.

    • International Migration: Movement across country borders (emigration and immigration).

Why Do People Migrate?

• Voluntary vs. Forced Migration

  • Voluntary Migration: Conscious decision to move.

  • Forced Migration: Imposed movement due to authority or power.

• Complexity of Migration Decisions

  • Decisions can be influenced by household dynamics, gender roles, and power relationships.

  • Gender studies show men are often more mobile than women.

• Historical Examples of Forced Migration

  • Atlantic slave trade, British expulsion of Irish, and various political expulsions (e.g., Idi Amin in Uganda).

• Contemporary Forced Migration

  • Human trafficking and migration due to armed conflicts or environmental disasters.

Push and Pull Factors in Voluntary Migration

• Push Factors: Conditions that drive people to leave (e.g., economic hardship, safety).

• Pull Factors: Attractions of a new location (e.g., job opportunities, family connections).

• Distance Decay: Migrants are more familiar with nearby locations than distant ones, influencing their decisions.

• Step Migration: Migrants often move in stages, influenced by intervening opportunities.

Where Do People Migrate?

• Global Migration Flows

  • Major historical migration patterns include movements from Europe to the Americas, Africa, and Asia.

  • Examples of Migration Flows:

    • European colonization and subsequent emigration.

    • The Great Migration of African Americans from the South to northern cities.

• Internal Migration Trends

  • Economic conditions influence mobility within countries (e.g., U.S. migration patterns post-2008 recession).

• Contemporary Migration Patterns

  • Migration influenced by economic opportunities, political circumstances, and environmental conditions.

  • Climate change is projected to create "climate refugees."

Conclusion

Migration is a complex phenomenon influenced by various factors, including economic conditions, political circumstances, and personal choices. Understanding the nuances of migration helps to grasp its impact on societies and individuals