Mediterranean migrations: regionalisms versus globalisation

• Autores: Martin Baldwin-Edwards
• Localización: Finisterra: Revista Portuguesa de Geografia, ISSN 0430-5027, Vol. 39, Nº 77, 2004, págs. 9-20
• Idioma: inglés
• Enlaces
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• Resumen

  • This paper challenges the claim of glohalisation as a cause of immigration into Southern Europe and, Qn an empirical hasis, identifies regionalisation as beiog the primary issue, along with networked migratory patteros. However, the cliaugiog patteros of immigration do preseot challenges tu hoth state aud society. It is argued here that recent policy responses jo Portugal, Italy aud Spain have been inconsistent and irrational - reflecting more the 'securitisation' of migration than European reality. Earlier policy innovationa are identified, by country and date: most of these have 00W been abandoned. It is suggested that ah of Southern Europe has converged unto a statist, restrictiunist model of immigratino control that was formerly heid unly by Greece. The principal characteristics of this model are outlined, along with a migratiun flowchart and indicative data for migrant flows and sub-flows in Iíaly and Spain. lo the final section, 1 try to show thai the needs of ihe economy cannot he predicted, immigratiun cannot he controlled in ihe manner currently heing enforced across Southern Europe, and attempts to do so will damage rather than impruve economic productivity and growth. The concept of an accomodating immigratiun policy is advanced, wherehy the state tries tu manage the needs of hoth employers aod poteotial migrants. Six guidelines for policy development are suggested - must of which have already heen successfully carried out in the Enropean Union. These are the followiog:

    migratiun in order to fiod a joh; circular cross-horder migratiun; EU level negutiatino of readmission agreements; the need for a variety of migration-for-employment schemes; legal resideoce should nut depeod opon cuntinuity of employmeot; and discreet legalisation will still he needed in Southero Europe.