Migrant ClassificationsMigrant Classifications

2011 University of Chicago Center for International Studies

2011 University of Chicago Center for International Studies

Push-Pull FactorsPush-Pull Factors

Push/Pull Factors: “Push” factors are things that drive people AWAY from a place, while “Pull” factors are things that DRAW people IN to a place

Can you see any potential trouble in explaining migration solely in these terms?

Push/Pull Factors: “Push” factors are things that drive people AWAY from a place, while “Pull” factors are things that DRAW people IN to a place

Can you see any potential trouble in explaining migration solely in these terms?

Scholars say the “Push/Pull” model…

Scholars say the “Push/Pull” model…

…is too general. It could be just about anything--economic, social, political--that could be a factor. Does this tell us anything useful?

…it suggests that humans neatly fall into either the “push” or “pull” category, when reality is much more complicated.

…it suggests that humans are strictly extrinsically motivated (moved by something outside themselves) to migrate, which may not always be the case

…is too general. It could be just about anything--economic, social, political--that could be a factor. Does this tell us anything useful?

…it suggests that humans neatly fall into either the “push” or “pull” category, when reality is much more complicated.

…it suggests that humans are strictly extrinsically motivated (moved by something outside themselves) to migrate, which may not always be the case

Adapted from Virginia Parks presentation, “Economic Effects of Immigration: Lessons from the Chicago Labor Market” at the 2011 University of Chicago Summer Teacher Institute, Migration: Causes and Consequences

Theories of MigrationTheories of Migration

In order to understand migration, we need more complicated and detailed theories of WHY people move. These are a few:

Neoclassical Economic Theory

Dual Labor Market Theory

World Systems Theory

Adapted from Virginia Parks presentation, “Economic Effects of Immigration: Lessons from the Chicago Labor Market” at the 2011 University of Chicago Summer Teacher Institute, Migration: Causes and Consequences

Theories of MigrationTheories of Migration

Neoclassical Economic Theory: Show me the money!

• It’s all about supply and demand!

• The belief that migration flows from low-wage to high-wage markets

• People make decisions to move based on this question:• Where will I get the best return on my

skills?

• Any problems here???Adapted from Virginia Parks presentation, “Economic Effects of Immigration: Lessons from the Chicago Labor Market” at the 2011 University of Chicago Summer Teacher Institute, Migration: Causes and Consequences

Theories of MigrationTheories of Migration

Dual Labor Market Theory

• It’s all about JOBS• Segmented labor market

• Primary: stable jobs, good pay, opportunities for advancement, recognized social status

• Secondary: unstable, low pay, no or limited opportunities to advance (regardless of skill), low social status

• Natives shun jobs in secondary sector• Immigrants needed as labor supply into

secondary sector jobs. There will always be a need for migrants!

• Any problems here?Adapted from Virginia Parks presentation, “Economic Effects of Immigration: Lessons from the Chicago Labor Market” at CIS Institute

Theories of MigrationTheories of Migration

World Systems Theory:

• It’s all about globalization!• Positions migration within global economic

system• In drive for higher profits, companies enter

poor countries for cheap land, raw materials, and labor• Entry disrupts internal socioeconomic

systems• Forces of globalization hasten penetration

• Transportation & communications technology

• Cultural homogenization• Still…is this a perfect explanation???

Adapted from Virginia Parks presentation, “Economic Effects of Immigration: Lessons from the Chicago Labor Market” at CIS Institute

The Amenities Model--is it all about preference and entertainment?

The Amenities Model--is it all about preference and entertainment?

How Amenities Drive Urban Development, from TN Clark, ed., How Amenities Drive Urban Development, from TN Clark, ed., The City as an The City as an Entertainment MachineEntertainment Machine

Adapted from Terry Nichols Clark presentation at at the 2011 University of Chicago Summer Teacher Institute, Migration: Causes and Consequences

Pros and Cons of this model?

Which theory do you think best fits most Americans? Which theory do you think best fits most Americans?

Neo-Classical (go where the jobs are)Dual Labor Market (natives will seek

better jobs and leave immigrants to take what is left)

World Systems Theory (people are moving with global business)

Amenities Model (people move for economic reasons, but also personal preference as well)

Neo-Classical (go where the jobs are)Dual Labor Market (natives will seek

better jobs and leave immigrants to take what is left)

World Systems Theory (people are moving with global business)

Amenities Model (people move for economic reasons, but also personal preference as well)

(e.g., D.R. of Congo to Cote d’Ivoire)

(e.g., Myanmar to Gabon)

(e.g., Cuba to Bahrain)

(e.g., Barbados to Lichtenstein)

Note: The Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite measure of individual wellbeing in a country that takes into consideration life expectancy, adult literacy rates, education enrollment, and per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Source: United Nations Development Program (UNDP) calculations based on data from “Global Migrant Origin Database (Version 4),” Development Research Center on Migration, Globalization and Poverty, University of Sussex.

Contrary to popular perception, the poorest of the poor typically do not migrate

Emigration rate by level of human development

Source: Aaron Terrazas’s presentation at the 2011 University of Chicago Summer Teacher Institute, Migration: Causes and Consequences

Refugees and IDP’s--migrants without choice

A refugee is someone who owing to a well founded fear of persecution for reasons of political opinion, race, religion, nationality or membership in a particular social group are outside their country of nationality and are unable or, as a result of such fear, unwilling to return to it ...

An asylum seeker is someone who is seeking refugee statusThis definition is not always good enough, in that it does not cover victims of natural disasters

An Internally Displaced Person (IDP) is essentially a refugee inside their own country. Ex: A certain city is unsafe for a certain religion, so those citizens move elsewhere within the same country.

Refugees and IDP’s--migrants without choice

A refugee is someone who owing to a well founded fear of persecution for reasons of political opinion, race, religion, nationality or membership in a particular social group are outside their country of nationality and are unable or, as a result of such fear, unwilling to return to it ...

An asylum seeker is someone who is seeking refugee statusThis definition is not always good enough, in that it does not cover victims of natural disasters

An Internally Displaced Person (IDP) is essentially a refugee inside their own country. Ex: A certain city is unsafe for a certain religion, so those citizens move elsewhere within the same country.

Source: Anwen Tormey’s persentation at the 2011 University of Chicago Summer Teacher Institute, Migration: Causes and Consequences