Return migration - old story, new story

In: Immigrants & minorities, Band 20, Heft 1

Abstract

Locates the phenomenon of return migration within a broader history of European and American experiences. Argues that by studying return migration, some apparent contradictions in the broader themes of migration history can be understood. By considering the patterns of and motivations for return migration from America to Europe, it can be seen why some countries were severely damaged both economically and socially by high emigration and why others were not. Draws heavily but not exclusively on the Scandinavian countries. Seeks to reinforce the notion, apparent from the history of the 1880-1930 era in Europe and America, that return migration was among those major influences that challenged traditional societies and produced the modern world. (Original abstract - amended)