11.1.4
Causes of Migration
Potential Explanations for Migration
Potential Explanations for Migration
The causes of migration are varied and complex and are subject to change. Economic theory has attempted to explain them. Here are some potential explanations:
Family
Family
- Many migrants move internationally and within nations to be with their families.
Economic
Economic
- Most migrants are economic migrants.
- It is important to note that migrants are often not the poorest in their home areas. To migrate, they often have to pay for travel and pay traffickers to get them to their destination.
Politics/war
Politics/war
- Some migrants are forced to move because they are displaced by conflict, poverty or persecution.
- The Syrian civil war between Bashar al-Assad, ISIL and other groups has displaced a lot of people.
- At least, 700,000 Rohingya people had to move out of Myanmar because of persecution in 2018.
Remittances
Remittances
- Sometimes families and friends ‘club together’ to send the person with the highest earning potential abroad, to maximise remittances (payments sent back home).
- World Bank data suggests that between 1995 and 2004, remittances received in Nepal rose 9% and the incidence of poverty fell 11%.
Friedman's Core-Periphery Economic Model
Friedman's Core-Periphery Economic Model
Friedman's core-periphery model views migration as an efficient way to maximise output and profits. People are treated as an economic resource that businesses use (or hire).
The 'core'
The 'core'
- Friedman argued that uneven growth is caused by a natural advantage (e.g. strategic position on a trading route like Antwerp or a rich wealth of raw materials like the USA).
- The 'core' has this natural advantage and other areas do not.
Backwash effects
Backwash effects
- Over time, the imbalance between the natural advantage of the core and other areas (the periphery) becomes larger.
- Migrants, resources and investment continue to move from the periphery towards the core.
- The movement of these people, resources and capital are called backwash effects.
- Free trade, free migration and deregulated financial/capital markets are important for allowing these backwash effects to happen.
- Investment and migration are all towards the core.
Migration maximises output
Migration maximises output
- Migration is an efficient way to maximise the output of the whole system (in the world).
- People move to the most productive place (the core) where output and profits are maximised.
- Friedman argued that borders should be open to facilitate this.
Trickle-down effects
Trickle-down effects
- Some economists argue that there are negative backwash effects, with the periphery being harmed by things like brain drain (everyone leaving a country).
- However, Friedman argued that negative backwash effects are balanced by positive spread effects (where the profits and output of the core trickle down to the periphery).
Issues with Friedman's Economic Theory of Migration
Issues with Friedman's Economic Theory of Migration
There are some issues or counterarguments against Friedman's theory of migration:
Backwash vs spread effects
Backwash vs spread effects
- Measuring the size of negative backwash effects is very difficult. They include many social and political judgments and are subjective.
- Proving that spread effects are larger than backwash effects is difficult or impossible.
Inequalities
Inequalities
- Inequalities are created and social and political hierarchies may work to maintain them.
National identity
National identity
- Mass migration is likely to have a big impact on national identity and sovereignty.
- This could lead to discrimination and prejudice that may not be captured by the mode.
Managing migration
Managing migration
- Many governments seek to manage migration, however, advancing technology and an increased level of interconnectedness make it harder to control migration.
- Things like remote work in the modern era may not fit well with this model of migration.
1Tectonic Processes & Hazards
1.1Tectonic Processes & Hazards
1.2Natural Disasters
1.3Natural Disaster Case Studies
1.4Trends & Patterns
2Option 2A: Glaciated Landscapes & Change
2.1Glaciated Landscapes Over Time
2.2Periglacial Landscapes
2.3Glacial Processes
2.4Glacial Landforms
3Option 2B: Coastal Landscapes & Change
3.1Coastal Landscapes
3.2Coastal Erosion & Deposition
3.3Coastal Risks
4Globalisation
4.1Globalisation
4.2Negatives of Globalisation
4.3Global Shift
4.5Culture
4.6Measuring Development
5Option 4A: Regenerating Places
5.1Types of Economies
5.2Function of Places
5.3Regeneration
5.4Regeneration Case Studies
6Option 4B: Diverse Places
6.1Population Structure
6.2Past & Present Connections
6.3Urban & Rural Spaces
6.4Diversity
6.5Urban & Rural Case Studies
6.6Case Study - Tower Hamlets
6.7Case Study - Sturton-le-Steeple
7The Water Cycle & Water Insecurity (A2 only)
7.1Hydrological Processes Global to Local
7.2Influences on the Water Cycle
7.3Water Insecurity
8The Carbon Cycle & Energy Security (A2 only)
8.1The Carbon Cycle
8.2Energy Consumption
8.3Alternative Energy
8.4Growing Demand for Resources
9Superpowers (A2 only)
9.1Superpowers
9.2Hard & Soft Power
9.2.1Hard & Soft Power
9.2.2Emerging Powers - China Rivalry
9.2.3Emerging Powers - Chinese Sources of Power
9.2.4Emerging Powers - Brazil
9.2.5Emerging Powers - Russia
9.2.6Emerging Powers - India
9.2.7Theories of Development
9.2.8Power Case Studies: Chinese One Belt One Road
9.2.9Power Case Studies: Pakistan Nuclear Arms
9.2.10Power Case Studies: OPEC
9.3IGOs, TNCs & Alliances
10Option 8A: Health & Human Rights (A2 only)
10.1Human Development
10.2Role of Governments & IGOs
10.3Human Rights
10.4Interventions
11Option 8B: Migration & Identity (A2 only)
11.1Globalisation & Migration
11.2Consequences of Migration
11.3Nation States
11.4Responses to Global Migration
Jump to other topics
1Tectonic Processes & Hazards
1.1Tectonic Processes & Hazards
1.2Natural Disasters
1.3Natural Disaster Case Studies
1.4Trends & Patterns
2Option 2A: Glaciated Landscapes & Change
2.1Glaciated Landscapes Over Time
2.2Periglacial Landscapes
2.3Glacial Processes
2.4Glacial Landforms
3Option 2B: Coastal Landscapes & Change
3.1Coastal Landscapes
3.2Coastal Erosion & Deposition
3.3Coastal Risks
4Globalisation
4.1Globalisation
4.2Negatives of Globalisation
4.3Global Shift
4.5Culture
4.6Measuring Development
5Option 4A: Regenerating Places
5.1Types of Economies
5.2Function of Places
5.3Regeneration
5.4Regeneration Case Studies
6Option 4B: Diverse Places
6.1Population Structure
6.2Past & Present Connections
6.3Urban & Rural Spaces
6.4Diversity
6.5Urban & Rural Case Studies
6.6Case Study - Tower Hamlets
6.7Case Study - Sturton-le-Steeple
7The Water Cycle & Water Insecurity (A2 only)
7.1Hydrological Processes Global to Local
7.2Influences on the Water Cycle
7.3Water Insecurity
8The Carbon Cycle & Energy Security (A2 only)
8.1The Carbon Cycle
8.2Energy Consumption
8.3Alternative Energy
8.4Growing Demand for Resources
9Superpowers (A2 only)
9.1Superpowers
9.2Hard & Soft Power
9.2.1Hard & Soft Power
9.2.2Emerging Powers - China Rivalry
9.2.3Emerging Powers - Chinese Sources of Power
9.2.4Emerging Powers - Brazil
9.2.5Emerging Powers - Russia
9.2.6Emerging Powers - India
9.2.7Theories of Development
9.2.8Power Case Studies: Chinese One Belt One Road
9.2.9Power Case Studies: Pakistan Nuclear Arms
9.2.10Power Case Studies: OPEC
9.3IGOs, TNCs & Alliances
10Option 8A: Health & Human Rights (A2 only)
10.1Human Development
10.2Role of Governments & IGOs
10.3Human Rights
10.4Interventions
11Option 8B: Migration & Identity (A2 only)
11.1Globalisation & Migration
11.2Consequences of Migration
11.3Nation States
11.4Responses to Global Migration
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