The Necropolitical Production and Management of Forced Migration

This book argues that forced migration is a product of necropolitical strategies designed to depopulate resource-rich countries or regions. It merges necropolitical analysis with postcolonial migration and offers a new framework to study the policies, laws, institutions, and political discourses that produce a profit in a legal context where habitat devastation is legal but mobility is a crime.

Format: Hardback
Length: 158 pages
Publication date: 04 November 2021
Publisher: Lexington Books

This book makes a compelling case that forced migration is not a spontaneous occurrence, but rather a deliberate strategy employed by governments and other actors to depopulate resource-rich countries or regions. Through a comprehensive analysis that draws on examples from the United States-Mexico border, Central America, and South America, the author demonstrates how necropolitical strategies are intricately woven into the fabric of migration. By merging necropolitical analysis with postcolonial migration, the book offers a fresh framework for understanding the complex web of policies, laws, institutions, and political discourses that perpetuate profit-making in a legal context where habitat devastation is permitted but mobility is criminalized.

The tactics employed by extractivist capitalism are diverse and ruthless, encompassing violence, deprivation of food or water, environmental contamination, and the exclusion of rights. Both private and state actors exploit necropower, in its first and third-world iterations, to commodify human beings, both living and dead. This exploitation is driven by the pursuit of economic gain and power, often at the expense of the well-being and dignity of the affected communities.

The book's insights are particularly relevant in today's globalized world, where the pressures of resource scarcity, climate change, and political instability are driving millions of people to flee their homes in search of safety and a better life. However, the author cautions that the phenomenon of forced migration is not solely driven by external factors but also by internal dynamics within countries and regions. For example, economic inequality, political instability, and social unrest can create conditions that make migration a necessary survival strategy for many people.

Furthermore, the book raises important questions about the role of international institutions and governments in addressing forced migration. While international agreements and policies aimed at promoting human rights and protecting refugees are crucial, they often fail to address the root causes of forced migration or provide adequate support to the affected communities. The author argues that a more holistic and comprehensive approach is needed, which involves addressing the underlying economic, social, and political factors that contribute to forced migration and promoting sustainable development and equitable distribution of resources.

In conclusion, this book is a valuable contribution to the field of migration studies, offering a nuanced and comprehensive analysis of the forces driving forced migration and the strategies employed by those who seek to exploit it. By shedding light on the necropolitical dimensions of migration, the book provides a framework for understanding the complex web of factors that contribute to this global phenomenon and for developing more effective responses to address it.

Weight: 481g
Dimension: 228 x 160 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781793653291