Citizenship, Migration and Social Rights: Historical Experiences from the 1870s to the 1970s

The tensions between European conceptions of the welfare state and transnational migration have caused heated debates. This book explores how European societies struggled with this relationship in the formative phases of modern welfare states from the late nineteenth century to the post-war era, focusing on Europe and the Atlantic. It includes eleven case studies on four themes: the agency of migrants in local-level administrative and judicial procedures, special regulations for seasonal labor migrants, urban social policies, and the gradual globalization of migrants' social rights through international conventions.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 25 August 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The complex interplay between European perspectives on the welfare state and transnational migration has sparked intense political, public, and academic discussions over the past several decades. While historians have delved into this dynamic relationship, their exploration has yet to delve into the formative phases of modern welfare states, from the late nineteenth century to the post-war era. This volume aims to bridge this gap and provide a historical perspective on a highly relevant issue. While the focus is primarily on Europe, the book encompasses a wide geographic scope, extending across the Atlantic.

The book is organized into an introductory chapter followed by eleven case studies that explore four themes. The first part examines the agency of migrants in navigating local-level administrative and judicial procedures that determined their practical access to formal rights. The second section explores the specific regulations developed for seasonal labor migrants primarily engaged in agriculture. The third part examines the role of urban social policies in attracting, integrating, and excluding domestic and foreign migrants. The final section addresses the gradual globalization of migrants' social rights through international conventions.

This book will appeal to historians of welfare, migration, and citizenship, as well as social scientists and graduate students in these fields. It offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics between European welfare state ideologies and transnational migration, shedding light on the historical processes that have shaped the contemporary landscape.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032198262