The Refugee System - A Sociological Approach

This book explores the decision-making process of households in danger of fleeing violence and persecution, considering the conditions in countries of origin, transit, and reception that shape their options. It provides a sociological approach to understanding the refugee system, showing how changes in one part of the system reverberate elsewhere and how past policies, laws, population movements, and regional responses shape states' responses in the present.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 21 October 2022
Publisher: Polity Press

Some individuals who are facing violence and persecution opt to flee from their homes. Conversely, others choose to remain in their current locations. How do households in danger make these crucial decisions regarding who should leave, where to relocate, and whether to continue their journey? What are the conditions in countries of origin, transit, and reception that shape individuals' options and shape their decisions?

This thought-provoking book delves into the compelling story of a Syrian family, dispersed across various countries, as they navigate the treacherous path of survival amidst the civil war. This narrative serves as a foundation for examining and understanding the complex refugee system. By departing from studies that isolate knowledge about specific settings or solutions to displacement, the book adopts a sociological approach that highlights a global system that profoundly influences refugee movements. Alterations in one part of this system reverberate throughout other parts. Feedback mechanisms dynamically modify processes across different temporal and geographical contexts. Earlier migrations exert a profound influence on subsequent movements. Immobility on one path redirects migration towards alternative routes. Historical policies, laws, population movements, and regional responses all contribute to shaping states' responses in the present. As Arar and FitzGerald vividly illustrate, these complex processes are intricately woven with profound inequalities of economic, political, military, and ideological power.

Presenting a rigorous analysis of refugee structures worldwide, this book offers invaluable insights for students and scholars engaged in the study of international migration and refugee studies across various social sciences. It also serves as a valuable resource for policy makers and individuals involved in refugee and asylum work, providing valuable perspectives and strategies for addressing the challenges and complexities of displacement.

Weight: 594g
Dimension: 232 x 166 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781509542789