Lecture 15-16 Flashcards
What is the political migration trilemma according to Hein de Haas?
The conflict between the desire to control immigration, economic need for migrant labor, and human rights obligations toward migrants and refugees.
Why does de Haas argue that building walls is an illusion of migration control?
Because migration is driven by larger social and economic forces, and restricting legal pathways often increases irregular migration rather than stopping it.
What is a common misconception about migration that de Haas challenges?
That countries are being “flooded” with migrants—when in reality, most migration is legal and follows structured processes.
What policy approaches does de Haas suggest are effective in managing migration?
Points-based systems (like in Canada and Australia) and easing access to citizenship while maintaining economic benefits.
What does de Haas argue will shape migration patterns in the long run?
Conflict prevention and drastic economic reforms, as these factors influence the root causes of migration over time.
What is the difference between ethnic communities and ethnic minorities
Ethnic communities share a common culture, language, and traditions within a larger society and may integrate, while ethnic minorities are subordinated groups marginalized by the dominant population due to socially constructed differences.
How do large-scale migrations and growing diversity impact political institutions and national identity?
They challenge the cultural homogeneity of a nation and create tensions around the integration of newcomers
What is the ethnic model of citizenship and nationhood?
It defines belonging to the nation based on ethnicity, such as common descent, language, and culture, often excluding minorities from citizenship (e.g., Israel, Latvia, Germany until 2000).
How does the republican model of citizenship differ from the ethnic model?
The republican model defines the nation as a political community based on laws and citizenship, with newcomers required to adhere to political rules and adopt national culture (e.g., France).
What does the multicultural model of citizenship emphasize?
It allows newcomers to maintain their distinct cultures while conforming to national laws, promoting cultural diversity alongside national integration (e.g., Sweden, the Netherlands, Australia, and Canada).
What is the transnational model of citizenship?
The transnational model recognizes that members of transnational communities maintain identities that transcend national boundaries, leading to multiple forms of belonging beyond a single nation-state.
What is development according to Amartya Sen?
Development is the expansion of people’s substantive freedoms to lead lives they value, focusing on human capabilities rather than just economic indicators.
How does migration relate to development, according to Amartya Sen
Migration can contribute to development by expanding people’s choices, improving income, and facilitating the transfer of knowledge
What is “negative globalization” in terms of environmental issues?
It refers to global environmental problems, such as climate change, that arise due to the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the global flow of goods, people, and capital.
What is the main cause of deforestation in the Amazon region?
Development activities such as livestock farming, mining, and human settlements are major contributors to deforestation in the Amazon.
What is “ecologically unequal exchange” in the context of deforestation?
Ecologically unequal exchange is the idea that wealthier countries benefit from environmental exploitation in poorer countries by extracting natural resources and externalizing environmental harm. Unequal flow of ecological costs and benefits: peripheral countries export cheap raw material and resources while suffering environmental degradation. Core countries import these resources, use them for industrial production and enjoy growth while avoiding much of the environmental damage
Less developed countries depend on foreign investment, particularly in the primary sector (agriculture, forestry, and extraction). These countries often absorb the environmental costs (like deforestation) of polluting activities that are outsourced by wealthier nations.
How does foreign investment contribute to deforestation in developing countries?
Foreign investments, particularly in the primary sector (agriculture, forestry, and mining), often lead to deforestation as wealthy countries outsource polluting activities to less developed countries.
Which country ranks highest in the Environmental Performance Index (EPI)?
Denmark ranks #1 in the Environmental Performance Index (EPI).
What is the general relationship between economic development and environmental performance in nation-states?
While some argue economic development harms environmental performance, effective environmental policies can promote sustainable economic growth within environmental limits.
A country’s risk of displacement depends on three factors
Exposure to natural hazards: For example, being prone to droughts, severe storms, floods, or landslides.
Poverty-related vulnerability: Poorer countries often lack the resources to adapt to climate change, making their populations more vulnerable.
Resilience (adaptation capacity): The ability of a country or community to adapt to climate impacts (such as building infrastructure to withstand floods or droughts).
What is meant by the “adaptive response” to climate change?
Adaptive responses include strategies like migration, disaster risk reduction, and the development of more resilient agriculture to cope with the effects of climate change.
How is climate change impacting the Nile Delta?
Sea-level rise and coastal erosion are threatening the Nile Delta, potentially displacing millions of people and causing the loss of agricultural land and infrastructure.
What is “virtual water”?
Virtual water refers to the hidden water used in the production and global trade of goods like crops, which often export local water resources to other countries.
How does bottled water production contribute to environmental issues?
The production of bottled water contributes to plastic waste, as 80% of bottles end up in landfills, taking up to 1,000 years to decompose. Additionally, it uses large amounts of water and resources.
