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An analysis of migration in modern European history points out problematic aspects of research on where people lived "then" & where they live "now." It is maintained that "local" migration occurs within a geographically contiguous labor, land, or marriage market; "circular" migration involves movement to a destination for a distinct purpose & return to the place of origin after a specific interval; "chain" migration involves the movement of sets of related people from one place to another through social arrangements; & "career" migration involves moves in response to career opportunities within large structures. It is suggested that in the age of industrialization the general character of European migration shifted from local & circular migration toward longer-distance, more definite chain & career migration. Migrants have traditionally moved short distances in response to changing employment opportunities or demographic imbalances; however, there has been an increase in both average distances moved & the definitiveness of breaks with the place of origin. The need to rethink the relationship between industrialization & mobility is emphasized. J. Lindroth

The findings of the UN International Migration Report 2002, which provides an overview of international migration levels, trends & policies, indicate that 175 million persons (about 3 percent of the world population) are currently living in a country other than where they were born. Sixty percent of these migrants are living in more developed regions with the greatest number living in Europe (56 million), Asia (50 million), & North America (41 million). The four countries with the highest proportion of migrants are the United Arab Emirates (74 percent), Kuwait (58 percent), Jordan (40 percent), & Israel (37 percent). Growing concerns about the economic, social, & political impact of immigration has led developed countries to enact more restrictive policies & many developing countries are moving in the same direction. International conventions & protocols that have been developed to protect migrants are reviewed. Although migration information remains incomplete & often inaccurate, the UN is facilitating a dialogue among nations in order to develop efficient capacities to deal with challenges related to international migration. Tables. J. Lindroth

The findings of the UN International Migration Report 2002, which provides an overview of international migration levels, trends & policies, indicate that 175 million persons (about 3 percent of the world population) are currently living in a country other than where they were born. Sixty percent of these migrants are living in more developed regions with the greatest number living in Europe (56 million), Asia (50 million), & North America (41 million). The four countries with the highest proportion of migrants are the United Arab Emirates (74 percent), Kuwait (58 percent), Jordan (40 percent), & Israel (37 percent). Growing concerns about the economic, social, & political impact of immigration has led developed countries to enact more restrictive policies & many developing countries are moving in the same direction. International conventions & protocols that have been developed to protect migrants are reviewed. Although migration information remains incomplete & often inaccurate, the UN is facilitating a dialogue among nations in order to develop efficient capacities to deal with challenges related to international migration. Tables. J. Lindroth

Argues that microanalytic & macroanalytic migration theories both tend to ignore the political dimension of international migrations. A political perspective approach to migration issues is offered that incorporates some of the most useful aspects of micro- & macro- theories by emphasizing the transfer of jurisdiction as the constitutive element of international migrations. International migration is viewed as a "deviance from the prevailing norm of social organization at the world level." It is suggested that international migration can best be understood as a social phenomenon that includes tension between the preferences of individuals & the interests of societies. Any thorough evaluation of the costs & benefits of migration requires an examination of both individual & collective accounts. The analytical ramifications of the political perspective are pointed out, noting that it is also an effective framework for analyzing the behavior of societies. The implications of the conflict between the freedom to leave deprived regions of the world & the freedom of more fortunate countries to preserve their favorable endowment by restricting entry are discussed. J. Lindroth

Argues that microanalytic & macroanalytic migration theories both tend to ignore the political dimension of international migrations. A political perspective approach to migration issues is offered that incorporates some of the most useful aspects of micro- & macro- theories by emphasizing the transfer of jurisdiction as the constitutive element of international migrations. International migration is viewed as a "deviance from the prevailing norm of social organization at the world level." It is suggested that international migration can best be understood as a social phenomenon that includes tension between the preferences of individuals & the interests of societies. Any thorough evaluation of the costs & benefits of migration requires an examination of both individual & collective accounts. The analytical ramifications of the political perspective are pointed out, noting that it is also an effective framework for analyzing the behavior of societies. The implications of the conflict between the freedom to leave deprived regions of the world & the freedom of more fortunate countries to preserve their favorable endowment by restricting entry are discussed. J. Lindroth

Introduces a section in The Migration Reader: Exploring Politics and Policies on Migration in the Global Era. Discusses the effects of globalization on migration patterns.

"A token of our time is the 'opening of places to the world.' Migration movements have significantly contributed to this phenomenon. This is evident in particular in urban everyday life. Urban development and urbanity are today scarcely conceivable without migration. Nonetheless, this fact appears to be but weakly anchored in public consciousness. Negative attributions continue to stamp discourse on migration. Migrants are labeled as aliens and criticized for being resistant to Integration. This paper reverses the perspective, discussing the relevance of migration-linked diversity in the urban context as exemplified in everyday life in Cologne. The main thesis is that diversity through migration is an urban resource." (author's abstract)

A discussion of the impact of international migration on international relations considers how state actions shape population movements; what causes population movements to result in cooperation or conflicts; & how governments respond to population flows. It is suggested that the response of a state to international migration often affects that state's relations with other countries; a state's exit/entry rules affect international migration; & international migrants often become a political force in their country of destination. The concept of sovereignty as it relates to neoclassical economic ideas is explored to help shed light on how states influence international migration. The most common types of entry/exit rules are described to illustrate how they influence the magnitude, composition, & directionality of international migration, as well as relations between states. Consideration is also given to the political impact of international migrants on migration policies & how notions of sovereignty are being transformed under the new global realities. J. Lindroth

A discussion of the impact of international migration on international relations considers how state actions shape population movements; what causes population movements to result in cooperation or conflicts; & how governments respond to population flows. It is suggested that the response of a state to international migration often affects that state's relations with other countries; a state's exit/entry rules affect international migration; & international migrants often become a political force in their country of destination. The concept of sovereignty as it relates to neoclassical economic ideas is explored to help shed light on how states influence international migration. The most common types of entry/exit rules are described to illustrate how they influence the magnitude, composition, & directionality of international migration, as well as relations between states. Consideration is also given to the political impact of international migrants on migration policies & how notions of sovereignty are being transformed under the new global realities. J. Lindroth