Migration as Economic Imperialism: How International Labour Mobility Undermines Economic Development in Poor Countries

Wealthy states, international development agencies, and multinational corporations have encouraged labor migration from the Global South to the Global North, claiming that remittances are the most promising means of national development for poor and undeveloped countries. However, Immanuel Ness argues that temporary labor migration is the most recent form of economic imperialism and global domination, deepening economic exploitation, unraveling societal stability, and expanding economic inequality between poor and rich societies. The book exposes the damaging political, economic, and social effects of migration on origin countries and how border and security mechanisms control and marginalize low-wage migrant workers, especially women and youth.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 21 July 2023
Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd

For several decades, wealthy states, international development agencies, and multinational corporations have actively encouraged labor migration from the Global South to the Global North. This migration has been seen as a means of providing essential workers to support the transformation of advanced economies, while also being touted as the most promising avenue for national development in poor and undeveloped countries. However, as Immanuel Ness argues in his insightful corrective to conventional wisdom, temporary labor migration represents the latest form of economic imperialism and global dominance. A closer examination of the economic and social evidence reveals that remittances deepen economic exploitation, undermine societal stability, and significantly exacerbate economic inequality between poor and rich societies.

The book by Ness exposes the damaging political, economic, and social consequences of migration on origin countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. It highlights how border and security mechanisms control and marginalize low-wage migrant workers, particularly women and youth. Ness also asserts that remittances do not contribute to the growth of poor countries but rather perpetuate national dependence on the export of migrant workers, leading to distorted and unequal development on the global periphery.

This expert take on labor migration will be of immense value to students and scholars of migration and development across various social sciences disciplines. It provides a critical analysis of the underlying dynamics and consequences of this global phenomenon, shedding light on the need for more equitable and sustainable migration policies.

Weight: 510g
Dimension: 236 x 185 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781509553983