TYPES OF MIGRATIONS

In: The southwestern social science quarterly, Volume 36, Issue 1, p. 65-70

Abstract

Mass migrations of the past several decades and compulsory pop transfers seem to invalidate any general theory of migration. And yet, without theoretical orientation, how can we expect to gain new, signif insights? An attempt is made to construct a typology of migration, the types to be differentiated by the general institutional conditions under which they occur. From a large number of sociol'lly signif criteria, 2 are selected for primary consideration: (1) the way in which migration affects the social relationships of the migrants, & (2) the differences in socio-cultural systems between the areas of origin and areas of destination. Migrations may be classified according to whether they are voluntary or involuntary, in terms of the movement of a single person (or family) or an entire clan or tribe or some sociol'lly signif segment thereof. The signif of econ and non-economic factors in migration invite analysis. A typology of migration should also take into consideration the qualitative differences in the social order of the areas between which migrants move. Presumably the cultural differences of the societies involved are related to the sociol-psychol'cal adjustment of migrants. The typology suggested is not designed to replace the simpler classifications that are indispensable in statist work. The intention here is to outline a few concepts which could form a basis for a general theory of human migration. E. Scott.