Globalization and Migration

Abstract

In this chapter and the next two, my aim is to introduce some of the key concepts and background information necessary to the presentation and discussion of the different London stories in Chapters 5–8. Here, I begin by defining globalization before going on to discuss the main issues and options related to it. I then move to talk about one particular aspect of globalization: migration. I consider different theories of migration, coming down on the side of one which takes into account events happening at levels ranging from the macro, global level to the micro, local level. I end this discussion of migration models with some mention of policies enacted by governments to accommodate migrants. However, I conclude that independently of what governments do, a new settlement option for migrants has arisen in recent years, which calls into question attempts to assimilate migrants to local host cultures. This option is transnationalism, to which I devote some space, as it is crucial to understanding how different migrant groups live in London today.