The International Politics of Forced Migration

It seems that population movements are taking on increased significance in the context of current global social transformations. First, forced migration is growing in volume and importance, as a result of endemic violence and human rights violations. Second, policy-makers are attempting to implement differentiated policies for various categories of migrant. There is global competition to attract highly skilled migrants, but refugees, unskilled migrants and their families are unwelcome. Third, there is growing understanding that migration--both economic and forced--is an integral part of processes of global and regional economic integration. Fourth, it has become clear that immigrants do not simply assimilate into receiving societies, but rather tend to form communities and retain their own languages, religions and cultures. Finally, migration has become highly politicized, and is now a pivotal issue in both national and international politics. These are the themes of this essay. The discussion will focus mainly on issues of forced migration. At the end I shall return to the question: is there a 'global migration crisis'