Unit 3.2 - Governance - Economic Migration Flashcards
What 3 important factors drive out-migration (push factors).
Extreme poverty - leads to migration for better living conditions, often to neighboring countries.
Primary Commodities - Countries like Nigeria and Ghana depend on commodities like cocoa, which can double or halve in price. When prices crash, a country’s economy may suffer, leading to a recession.
Poor access to global markets such as trade blocs, can also cause farmers to abandon their land and migrate to cities for new employment.
What is post-colonial migration?
Between the 1950s and 1970s, many people migrated to the UK from former British colonies (and now Commonwealth members) in the Caribbean (especially Jamaica), India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Uganda and Australia among others. This was called post-colonial migration.
What is a diaspora community?
The dispersion or spread of a group of people from their original homeland.
Name one example of economic migration and describe it.
Polish migrants first arrived in the UK in the 1940s, establishing diaspora communities in cities. Low pay levels and Soviet rule led to an exodus of Polish musicians and artists. The removal of visa restrictions in 2004 accelerated migration. However, migration from eastern Europe to the UK has reduced due to Brexit, the COVID pandemic, and economic progress in eastern Europe. Economic progress in eastern Europe may also discourage young people from leaving countries like Poland for work.
Define the term ‘Superpower’
A country that very successfully projects real power and influence using a range of strategies on a truly global scale. One view is that the USA is the only true superpower today. The EU might be counted as a superpower although it is a collection of states rather than a single state.
Define the term ‘Soft Power’
Soft power is about the image a state projects around the world. The UK has often benefited from being perceived as a cultural hub, thanks to its music and film exports. This is not a government-led control strategy, however. The government benefits indirectly from the work of culture industries.
What demographic challenges do superpower states face?
The USA, Japan and European countries have increasingly elderly populations which may begin to weaken their power over time as more money has to be spent on healthcare while relatively fewer people are creating new economic wealth. For this reason, superpower states have at times sought to attract skilled migrants. Global hub cities, such as London and New York, have very large migrant communities working in a range of occupations, including healthcare and financial services.
What does ‘brain drain’ refer to?
When a country loses many of its most highly-qualified workers because they are attracted by higher wages on offer in other countries.
What are the impacts of economic migration on host and source countries.
The reduction in tax payments by workers in the source country leads to economic costs for the government, social costs for the host country, and environmental benefits for the city. Increased pressure on schools and increased shopping demand also contribute to economic benefits. However, the closure of schools or colleges due to falling numbers can also have social costs. Political changes like immigration restrictions can also impact the host country. High property prices and reduced carbon emissions from fewer people using local transport services also contribute to economic and environmental costs.
What is interdependence and describe an example of this.
Interdependence refers to mutual reliance between two countries, places, or groups. In the early 2000s, Russian investment in London’s housing market increased property prices in fashionable districts like Kensington. Property developers became heavily reliant on Russian money, while homeowners enjoyed the increased house values. London also provided Russian oligarchs with a secure investment location, resulting in economic interdependence between the UK and Russia.
What are remittances?
The transfer of money by foreign workers to their family and friends in their home country.
How has the UK aimed to reduce immigration?
Since 2010, a points system has been in place in the UK which is designed to restrict immigration. One recent UK government pledged to reduce net migration to “tens of thousands”. Many people view the 2016 Brexit referendum result as a negative judgment on migration. After the referendum result, net migration from the EU fell noticeably, however, non-EU migration has since increased.
