Migration and Social Transformation: Myths, theories and politics
Abstract
This chapter seeks to unpack the many ‘migration myths’ which float around in official discourse, feeding prejudice and misinformation. It takes migration to be part of a broader process of social transformation and not something self-contained. It foregrounds the mobility of labour as an integral element of the capitalist mode of production in the era of globalization. It also places in a central position the uneven nature of capitalist development on a global scale, that is only superficially captured by the mainstream distinction between ‘sender’ and ‘receiving’ countries. Finally, it emphasises the active role that migrant workers play as against the common picture of them as always victims.
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