Migration in Modern European History
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