How migration transforms societies - Essay Example

ID: How migration transforms societies Introduction This paper represents a critical analysis of an article on migration and social transformation. The term “migration” is accompanied with challenges as well as opportunities in relation to sustainable livelihood. It is often argued that immigrants witness discrimination, violence and racism. There has been extensive research conducted on impact of migration mainly for receiving societies. This study would critically analyze the root causes behind migration and social transformation in receiving countries. Migration researchers often fail to include nomadic and pastoral movements, which can be effectively correlated with social transformation. The population movements can be considered as a challenge for societies in order to achieve sustainable livelihood. There is a need to reflect upon multi-dimensional aspect of migration process, to establish a link between areas of origin and migrants. Critical Discussion The migratory movement is not a new concept but encompasses specific historical patterns. The article highlights that there are distinct differences between forced and economically motivated migration. However, it can be argued that percentage of economically motivated migration is comparatively higher. Individuals basically migrate when they identify growth opportunities in a specific region. The significance of multinational corporations has not been included in the article. There is a strong relationship between growth of MNCs and economically motivated migration (Boerman 36). The cross-border population movements considerably degrade the market power in terms of maintaining welfare states, managing labor markets and regulating corporations. The long-term effects associated with immigration are believed to emerge in the later phase of migratory process. This aspect faces criticism when hegemonic structures have gained importance in specific power relations. The social power relations are totally dependent on economic production processes. For instance, an immigrant witness negative consequence when one is not able to be well aligned with new community rules or regulations (Itzigsohn and Villacrés 669). Hence long-term effects are caused from the initial phase. The concept of ethnic mobilization has been portrayed in this particular article, it can be argued by stating that immigrants are solely responsible for choosing an ethnic group (Castles, Haas and Miller 57). It has been demonstrated in the article, ethnic minority results due to marginalization process rather than immigration process. This approach can be contradicted by denoting growing number of ethnic minorities since evolution of immigration process. For instance, 3.3 million migrants from South Asia were working in different regions, as per 1994 statistics (Saxenian 76). These migrants mainly emerged from India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and formed ethnic minority groups in foreign countries. The concept of racism has been well explained in this article by elaborating examples from post-colonial settler societies and Western Europe. This study depicts the persistence of racism in social transformations. Over the years, major threats for sustainable livelihood have been privatization, economic restructuring and deregulation. The racism approach was further described with the example of 11th September, 2001. This event portrays the global terror war, where Muslim minorities were subjected to racism in Western countries, simultaneously hindering national security. On the contrary, this article standardizes gender’s role in ethnic closure, which is unable to establish link with social transformation. The social exclusion and normalization concept should not encompass sexism, since in current scenario; females represent a significant proportion of migrants (Portes 236). Social differentiation can be viewed as a common phenomenon observed during migration. The liberal ideal has been questioned in the article, which efficiently describes another perspective of migration. It is generally assumed that equal opportunity and fair competition is faced by all migrants, but in reality, legal status adversely affects ethnic minorities and migrants. Migration is often viewed as a process facilitating regional development. The article however describes the challenge posed by international immigration on traditional model of social transformation by migration. Ethnic minorities can be perceived as threat for developed countries. This article emphasizes on importance of citizenship for immigrants. There has been various models proposed in the study, but multicultural model can be applied in different scenarios. On the basis of this model, ethnic communities are generally formed by retaining distinctive cultures (Vertovec). The approach of cultural diversity should be well aligned with national laws, in order to promote sustainability. The article mainly reflects upon the positive impact of migration on livelihood of communities or families. It has been assumed that immigrants are the key drivers behind success or growth of a nation. There are some evidences in the article stating that development prospect is undermined due to lack of favorable migration conditions. On the contrary, it has been mentioned, socio-economic inequality is triggered in poorer countries because of migration. This statement shall face criticism since migration tends to enhance economic scenario of developing countries. Migration is accompanied with money remittances or source of investment, working enthusiastically for homeland development and social remittances or transfer of appropriate attitude and skills (Castles 117). The aspect of national development is a consequence of migration which has been avoided in the article. Over the years, shift from developing countries to developed nation was exhibited to bring forth economic reform. The article clearly describes the policy considerations which are closely knitted with migration process. These policies are centered towards changing conditions in origin countries. The policies should encourage migrants to invest in infrastructural development, governmental accountability, macro-economic stability and legal security of origin countries (Greif 90). This article portrays the loopholes in current immigration policies, which are inability to stimulate development and alleviate poverty. However, the policies been highlighted in this article are focused on reducing immigration thresholds along with providing access to dual citizenship rights (Vasta 213). On the basis of these details, the article provides a broader view in relation to government intervention and national development. In this article, the impact of migration on destination and origin countries has been properly discussed but there is no such information on different migratory movements. It has been assumed that increased political salience of dual citizenship, is inter-linked with national security (Castles, Haas and Miller 81). This trend might vary in accordance with changing migratory movements. These diverse movements can be classified as involuntary resettlement, pastoralists, urbanization, traders and rural-rural migration. An argument has been posed in the article where migrants are viewed as a subject that improves and secures national livelihood. This argument can be criticized by reflecting upon the complex relationship between remittances and migration. A research study conducted in Pakistan and Mexico revealed that national immigration tends to decrease social inequality whereas international immigration enhances inequality. The social inequality aspect is closely knitted with achieving sustainable livelihood (Hollifield 886). Poverty and livelihoods are adversely affected by migration process, but this factor cannot be generalized, as given in the article. On the other side, recent views on migration have been included in this article, which are associated with neoliberal ideologies. These ideologies have eventually shifted focus towards responsibility of origin countries from constraints of structural development. The article effectively describes the reason behind social transformation due to migration. Ethnicity has been outlined as a key factor which distinguishes one cultural group from another. Conclusion The article has discussed the impact of migration on developing and origin countries. Theoretical perspectives have been included in the study so as to provide a wider picture of social transformation by migration. There are certain loopholes encompassed in the article which resulted into multiple generalized statements. However, a strong argument is made in context of linkage between settlement and migration. There are differences between migratory movements and it simultaneously affects social conditions. The degree of social inequality can be correlated with migratory movements, which has not been included in the article. Globalization has facilitated the migration process, simultaneously affecting societal change. The article can also be criticized in terms of less information on citizenship and its relation with migration. Works Cited Boerman, Thomas. Central American Gangs: An Overview of the Phenomenon in Latin America and the U.S. Journal of Gang Research, 15 (1), 35-52. 2007. Print. Castles, Stephen, Hein de Haas and Mark Miller. The Age of Migration: International Population Movements in the Modern World. London: Palgrave Macmillan. 2013. Print. Castles, Stephen. Twenty-first century migration as a challenge to sociology. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 33, 113-145. 2007. Print. Greif, Auner. Institutions and the Path to the Modern Economy: Lessons from Medieval Trade. New York: Cambridge University Press. 2006. Print. Hollifield, James. The Emerging Migration State. International Migration Review, 38, 885-912. 2004. Print. Itzigsohn, José and Daniela Villacrés. 2008. Migrant Political Transnationalism and the Practice of Democracy. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 31(5), 664-686. 2008. Print. Portes, Alejandro. Institutions and Development: A Conceptual Re-Analysis. Population and Development Review, 32 (6), 233-262. 2006. Print. Saxenian, Annalee. The New Argonauts: Regional Advantage in a Global Economy. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. 2006. Print. Vasta, Ellie. From ethnic minorities to ethnic majority policy: multiculturalism and the shift to assimilationism in the Netherlands. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 30 (5), 212-243. 2007. Print. Vertovec, Steven. Trends and Impacts of Migrant Transnationalism. 2004. Web. 2 October. 2015. Read More