Economic and Non-Economic Factors Driving International Migration - Literature review Example

Economic and Non-Economic Factors Driving International Migration University’s name: Submitted by: Tutor: Date: Economic and Non-Economic Factors Driving International Migration Economic Drivers of International Migration International migration has been on the rise over the last three decades and has continuously proven to a key aspect globally. The movement of people from one location or state to another is something not new, however, with the advancement in global technology, need for development, progress and advancement, the concept of international migration has become an aspect worth evaluating. In evaluating international migration, it is vital to consider the key factors that drive international migration. Many factors work together and are interconnected in advancing international migration. However, economic factors are the key factors that advance international migration (Dustmann and Preston, 2007). In this sense, the paper is going to analyze and discuss economic factors as the chief driver of migration. Massey et al. (2006) looks at the various theories underlying international migration. The review and appraisal of the concept is based on economic theories that consider the different levels of economic factors that define and conceptualize international migration. The paper additionally evaluates the concept of asylum seekers and refugees in relation to forced migration and as drivers on international migration. In this way, it is important to understand that the development and rise of international migration as major global structural aspect necessitate an evaluation of the forces underlying the practice. Labor is one of the factors that has driven international migration from the past ages and continues to do so even today. In the global process of economic development, Mahroum (2000) project that the demand for labor has been a central factor in the sense that countries with labor needs have always imported labor from other countries in efforts to drive their economic development. Labor is an aspect of the economy since it is inherently linked with production, manufacturing and associated aspects that are all aimed at having a sustainable economy (Lucas, 2005). The neoclassical economics is one theory that can be used to explain international migration based on labor requirements in various geographical locations around the world. The theory postulates that international migration is the consequence of the difference in supply of labor and demand for labor in various locations around the world. Countries in the world with a large labor force are often characterized by low wages and countries with low labor force are the opposite. Özden and Schiff (2007) explain this means that countries where labor is in abundance have to lower their wages as is the economic rule of supply and demand. When something is in plenty, the value goes down and when it is limited, its value will definitely rise. Consequently, workers in countries that have abundance in labor will move to countries that have a demand for labor and are thus offering better wages than their countries. In further understanding the current relevant theories associate with international migration, it is important to evaluate these theories further. The neoclassical economics theory of migration achieves a better comprehension of the sources of global migration. This theory developed from theoretical models expounding on issues related to internal migration of labor in light of economic development. The theory’s core assumptions note that the one of the key reasons for labor migration are rooted in wage differences between the sending and the receiving nation. In essence, eradicating wage difference will result in an end to global worker migration. Another assumption of the theory notes that the mechanism of the labor market are a significant influencer in international labor migration which essentially means that other markets that are not the labor market do not play a significant role in affecting the global migration of workers. The third assumption advances the notion that the government can control global worker migration by establishing a regulation of the labor market in receiving and sending countries. These assumptions are evaluated in the aspect of the macro-economic category. The micro theory of neoclassical economics holds assumptions that are based on the macro model. One of the assumptions of this theory advances the idea that sensible people will often migrate after they have weighed the benefits and costs and concluded movement results in the best positive net profits. This means that they weigh the benefits and cost of migrating to a specific country where they expect better and progressive benefits, which are more than the ones in their country of origin. The theory also states that migrants assess total returns for every phase in the future through multiplying returns with the prospect of getting a job in their destination country in order to evaluate the expected returns. Lastly, the micro theory of neoclassical economics establishes the idea that governments have the ability of changing the magnitude of flows in migration through regulation of the labor market. The entire word can be conceptualized as a distinct capitalist system. Looking at the world as one big capitalist market enhance the view that developing countries and underdeveloped regions deliver support to more developed regions through the provision of cheap and affordable labor (Lucas, 2004). The organization of the world market has experienced development and expansion. The market continues to do so even in today’s world. In the light of continuous development, Kim and Cohen (2010) observe that the saturation of capitalism and the economic factors associated with capital economy into societies that are not traditionally capitalist in nature necessitates international migration. The world systems theory explains this concept by noting that a capitalist economy is always driven by the need for higher profits and economic progress and development (Todaro et al., 2010). Companies in such capitalist countries will always seek better and cost effective ways of maximizing on profit. Such companies will thus turn to underdeveloped countries to source for cheap labor, raw materials in addition to seeking market expansion. Evaluating the concept of international migration based on this theory, the disruptions that occur in the process of developing and advancing capitalist economies will often drive international migration. With the development of new industries and more processes geared towards expanding and growing capitalist economies, more people have been instituted into the economy of the world (Chiswick and Hatton, 2003). According to Castles (2004), the disruption that capitalism causes touches on aspects such as the labor force of a country, resources such as land and raw materials, which create conditions favorable for international migration. In this manner, international migration is a consequence of the economic structure that defines a growing world market. Transnationalism is also a concept that advances that advances and drives international migration. In as much as economic factor play an indirect role in motivating international migration, established and growing transnational systems play a significant role in driving international migration. This concept is rooted in the emergence of transmigrants and the ability to integrate into better and prosperous society culturally, socially, and politically. The drive to migrate based on the concept of transnationalism is advanced by factors such as technological development and associated aspects that motivate international migration. In this way, people migrate since it is more beneficial and prosperous in ways that are not only economic. For instance, people would migrate with their families to grow and develop culturally and socially into countries that offer better accessibility to services and other progressive aspects. Such aspects may include better and more advanced international education, the prospect of learning a new language, more freedom, autonomy, and independence among other aspects that act as motivators. In this way, a family may be motivated in migrating by prioritizing the development of their children and exposure to international cultures and progressive aspects. This is especially true of migration into more developed countries that offer unlimited opportunities for growth and development. It is also important to evaluate feminist migration themes as vital factor in international migration. Migration can be said to be a gendered process in the sense that opportunities and outcomes of the process differ for both men and women. Apart from the gendered migration based on international economic development, international migration based on feminization also includes the fact that other motivators play a role in female migration. For instance, migration through intercultural marriages may be motivated by the demographic aspects in both the sending and the receiving countries. Unlike pure economic motivators of migration, social development and intercultural marriages in addition to financial prospects associated with migration play a role in female migration and have been a significant influencer in female international migration in the 21st Century. Majority of female migrants are motivated by factors such as the opportunity for developments for not only themselves but also for their children in the long-term. They evaluate the opportunities in the country of origin in relation to factors such a gender stereotypes, opportunities for growth and prosperity in making decisions to migrate to countries with better prospects. Other factors in the feminization of migration include the gendered labor markets that give women mobility and financial independence which is an important factor especially for female migrants escaping retrogressive situations such as domestic abuse, limited opportunities and violence associated with the inherently patriarchal society. Non-Economic Drivers of International Migration In as much economic factors constitute a significant part of drivers of international migration, other non-economic factors also come in play in advancing international migration. Such factors include forced migration in relation to refugees, asylum seekers, and environmental factors that drive movement such as natural disasters. The increase in conflict, communal tension and war in numerous regions of the world have contributed to the concept of migration internationally. Ethnic violence and religious intolerance in some regions have escalated to the point that people have been forced to seek refuge in other countries for their safety, security, and well-being. The change in the ecological environment also factor in as an aspect contributing to global migration. Environmental changes have recently affected numerous regions in the world resulting in reduced water and food security. Castles (2002) observes that water and food insecurities have necessitated the movement of people who seek refuge in various parts of the world for sustainability. Lack of such basic resources for survival is push factors in migration. In addition, natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes among others also play a central role in motivating international migration. De Haas (2011) in evaluating forced migration, notes that socio-political factors are a major aspect in international migration. Social aspects vary and consist of ethnic or tribal conflict, racial conflict, religious persecution and cultural wars among others. For instance, in Australia, majority of immigrants seeking asylum are from conflict-torn countries such as Sri Lanka, Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan. Sri Lanka, Iraq, and Afghanistan have experienced tensions and conflict of extreme nature for the quite a long time (Future Directions International., 2014). Human rights also constitute issues in this category that contribute to the concept of forced migration. For instance, in as much as Iran has not undergone wars, the country’s human rights record is one of the worst globally. According to Human Rights Watch (2015), the conditions in the country have thus forced most of the citizens from the country to migrate to different countries and seek asylum. In the political context, the politicization of distinctiveness including politicizing racial identity, ethnic identity and religious identity has contributed to migration since it has the potential of alienating people within a country and causing an increase in tensions and conflict. Marfleet (2006) explains that most countries that are transitioning politically from dictatorship into adoption of democracy are likely to face tensions and resistance that threatens security and peace forcing citizens to migrate. In this context, countries that experience this lack proper strategies and approaches of dealing with instability and responding in a manner that promotes peace and progress. In this respect, citizens who feel threatened and have the means of escaping the conflict often end up migrating to other countries (Sirkeci et al., 2016). People who migrate due to the conditions indicated are migrants who are forced to migrate. In looking at international migration, it is notable that economic factors play a vital role in motivating global movement. However, in as much as people would migrate in favor of better economic prospects, they would similarly migrate for in favor of advanced human development related to social welfare opportunities lacking in their countries that can be found in other more developed countries. Evaluation of both economic and non-economic drivers of international migration denotes the fact that both play an equal role in advancing migration. List of References Adams, R.H. and Page, J., 2005. Do international migration and remittances reduce poverty in developing countries?. World development, 33(10), pp.1645-1669. Bauböck, R. and Faist, T., 2010. Diaspora and transnationalism: Concepts, theories and methods (p. 360). Amsterdam University Press. Castles, S., 2004. The factors that make and unmake migration policies.International migration review, pp.852-884. 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