International Migration, Development, and Policy: Reconsidering Migration Transition Theory—A Way Forward

Migration transition theories have been contested as they informed immigration policy in the Global North, which—based on assumptions that immigrants from developing countries may be a threat to social stability and economic opportunity—aimed to diminish emigration from the South. Development polici...

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Main Author: Karin A. C. Johnson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Portland State University 2020-05-01
Series:Hatfield Graduate Journal of Public Affairs
Subjects:
Online Access:https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/32864
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author Karin A. C. Johnson
author_facet Karin A. C. Johnson
author_sort Karin A. C. Johnson
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description Migration transition theories have been contested as they informed immigration policy in the Global North, which—based on assumptions that immigrants from developing countries may be a threat to social stability and economic opportunity—aimed to diminish emigration from the South. Development policies were proposed that could produce a “migration transition” in the South, where it was assumed that improved economic development would act as a substitute for migration and lead to minimal emigration, thus reducing overall immigration to the Global North. However, policies did not result in a migration transition. Acknowledging problematic rhetoric and contradictory policy and outcomes, this paper addresses key deficiencies of migration transition models. By reconsidering how migration transition frameworks could be modified to inform immigration policy, we may pursue theoretical and methodological paths for future empirical inquiries on development and international migration.
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spelling doaj.art-06bc4f66b1764c93b4cd07aa54c20ec42022-12-21T22:50:56ZengPortland State UniversityHatfield Graduate Journal of Public Affairs2474-10782020-05-014110.15760/hgjpa.2020.4.1.5International Migration, Development, and Policy: Reconsidering Migration Transition Theory—A Way ForwardKarin A. C. Johnson0University of California, RiversideMigration transition theories have been contested as they informed immigration policy in the Global North, which—based on assumptions that immigrants from developing countries may be a threat to social stability and economic opportunity—aimed to diminish emigration from the South. Development policies were proposed that could produce a “migration transition” in the South, where it was assumed that improved economic development would act as a substitute for migration and lead to minimal emigration, thus reducing overall immigration to the Global North. However, policies did not result in a migration transition. Acknowledging problematic rhetoric and contradictory policy and outcomes, this paper addresses key deficiencies of migration transition models. By reconsidering how migration transition frameworks could be modified to inform immigration policy, we may pursue theoretical and methodological paths for future empirical inquiries on development and international migration.https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/32864DevelopmentInternational MigrationMigration Transition TheoryEconomic Development Policy
spellingShingle Karin A. C. Johnson
International Migration, Development, and Policy: Reconsidering Migration Transition Theory—A Way Forward
Hatfield Graduate Journal of Public Affairs
Development
International Migration
Migration Transition Theory
Economic Development Policy
title International Migration, Development, and Policy: Reconsidering Migration Transition Theory—A Way Forward
title_full International Migration, Development, and Policy: Reconsidering Migration Transition Theory—A Way Forward
title_fullStr International Migration, Development, and Policy: Reconsidering Migration Transition Theory—A Way Forward
title_full_unstemmed International Migration, Development, and Policy: Reconsidering Migration Transition Theory—A Way Forward
title_short International Migration, Development, and Policy: Reconsidering Migration Transition Theory—A Way Forward
title_sort international migration development and policy reconsidering migration transition theory a way forward
topic Development
International Migration
Migration Transition Theory
Economic Development Policy
url https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/32864
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