robert schuman centre for advanced studies migration to europe: between economics and politics...

Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies

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Migration to Europe: between economics and politics

Philippe Fargues

IBRAHIM ABU-LUGHOD INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES (IALIIS)

Masters Program in International Studies

October 20th 2011


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What migration is and what it isn’t A loose conceptTwo criteria used separately or in combination 1. Legal nationalityImmigrants = Foreign nationals2. Country of Birth Immigrants = Born-abroad personsNB1: Duration of stay, migrants vs. travelers NB2: Voluntary vs. forced migrants, migrant workers vs. refugees


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What the EU is and what it isn’t

Confederation of nations

Area of free circulation

•No internal borders

•Control of external borders

Towards an EU framework for legal migration

Towards an EU framework for asylum

Agencies : FRONTEX, EASO

27 member states, 27 policies

Old vs. new countries of immigration

Low-skilled vs. high-skilled migrants


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Migration levels and trends

A- Globally

1 Booming international mobility

2 Growing international migration

3. Declining numbers of refugees

B. At EU level

1. Second world largest recipient of international migrants

2. Half international migrants are third countries nationals

3. Most TCNs are migrants in a regular situation

4. Europe, a minor recipient of global refugees


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Governing migration in times of crisis Policy tensions:

•Present vs. past migration

•Migration vs. mobility

•Structural forces vs. circumstantial challenges

The backdrop of policymaking on migration:

•Globalisation of the economy and knowledge

•Globalisation of migratory movements

•No global governance of international migration

•Fundamental legal asymmetry between emigration which is a right and immigration which is a privilege


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Migration-related challenges facing the EU

Economic crisis may last longer than expected

•EU citizens are hit

•Immigrants are even more severely hit

•Is migration a problem?

Demographic depression has started

•Three challenges:oWeight of Europe in the worldoWorkforce oWelfare

•Is migration a solution?


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Demographic challenge and migrationFrom 1952 (first European Communities) until 2010

•EU has increased from180 to 500 million

•EU 27current member states have increased from 380 to 500 million

Around 2010 a major turning point

•Natural demography becomes negative

•Only immigration can compensate

Total population projected to decrease by 58 million between 2010 and 2050 in the no-migration scenario

•Working-age decrease: -84 million

•Old-age increase: + 57 million

Three possible responses

•Maximizing the productive contribution at working-age

•Increasing retirement age

•Replacement migration: permanent or temporary?


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Integration challenge•Increasing diversity of origins & cultural backgrounds

•Islam, second largest religion in the EU

•Migrant networks and local integration

•Communication and connection with origin countries

•Interpreting riots in ethnic neighbourhoods (e.g. Paris 2005): failed integration or integration in the making?

•A matter for direct, specific policy making in the EU


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Integration processesMutual openness, interaction between the host society and migrant individuals

Multidimensional

•Equal economic opportunities: access to the labour market, treatment at the workplace

•Social inclusion: access to education, health, housing

•Active participation into civic life

•Eventually access to nationality

Key factors

•Language

•Interaction

•Identification

Key institutions operate at local level

Regulatory frameworks are often defined and financed at national level


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Role of origin countriesPre-departure phase

Post-migration phase

Migrants’ origin countries have established institutions to liaise with their expatriates

Diasporas, a resource to be mobilised for national development

Private links between migrants and the community left behind

Lessons for Europe and the “Stockholm Programme”

robert schuman centre for advanced studies migration to europe: between economics and politics...

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