Modernization of Nations Through Migration
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Modernization of Nations Through Migration
The rate of migration in the world has rampantly increased in recent years. The rise in migration rate can be primarily attributed to globalization in which communication and transport have been enhanced, allowing individuals to move to places both near and far. The establishment of complex transport networks and systems has made traveling much cheaper and easier. However, the cultural and social dimensions of the attitudes towards emigrants and the relationship between the newcomers and locals have been difficult and discordant. In several nations worldwide, migration and migrants are among the widely debated topics and are not easy to address. This paper will analyze the developmental changes that have been a result of migration in the developed nations. In this context, the paper will analyze the Migration and Development Pendulum: A Critical View on Research and Policy published in the media in 2012 by applying the modernization theory of social change. The paper is divided into four parts. The first part explains or focuses on the debates and policies about migration and development. The second part describes the modernization theory. The third part analyzes development and migrations using modernization theory, and the last part concludes the paper.
Migration and development is a topic that has been debated for a long time. The topic has been the basis of the migration policy debate, especially in western countries. The research and policy argument concerning migration and development has been swinging back and forth starting in 1950. The debate has swung from optimism to pessimism, skepticism, and neglect to more optimistic views (De Haas, 2012). The change in attitude towards migration and development are the most outstanding elements in the policy and debate, therefore, demanding further explanation. After World War years, restoration and drastic growth of the West and North European nations’ economy were mainly attributed to migration. People were migrating from North Africa, Southern Europe, and other nations in the European border like Finland, Turkey, and Ireland significantly Helped in rebuilding the economy of both origin and destination countries. The migration of people from underdeveloped nations offered needed labor to the industries of developed nations. Consequently, the knowledge, skills, experience, and remittance that the emigrants obtain before returning to the origin country will significantly help Help the underdeveloped countries in their economic takeoff (De Haas, 2012). Migration, therefore, provided a mutual benefit to both the destination and origin countries. During the post-World War period (developmentalism period), nations were credited a vital responsibility in the planning of development. Therefore, both receiving and sending countries targeted to handle emigrants frequently through concluding agreements of bilateral recruitments.
Modernization theory is used to describe the transformation process within nations. It refers to a pattern of a gradual change from traditional or pr-modern to modern society. Modernization theory proposes that societies will develop through the adoption of modern practices. The theory tries to pinpoint the social variables contributing to the social development and progress of societies and strives to explain the social evolution process. Modernization theory stresses the responses to evolution as well as the change process. It also focuses on internal variables while referring to cultural and social structures and adopting modern technologies. Protagonists of modernization theory state that modern countries are more powerful, wealthier, and their citizens are enjoying higher living standards. Enhancements in the nation, such as new information technology and the urge to update conventional methods in production, transport, and communication, make modernization necessary. Migration enhances modernization as people with skills, knowledge, and experience move from developed nations to developing countries.
There are many ways in which modernization is enhanced in societies by migration. According to prevailing beliefs in ‘the 50s and ’60s, the origin countries saw their leaving migrants as essential innovation and change agents. It was anticipated that emigrants not only bring back the financial support to help boost the economy of the origin country, but also new skills, ideas, entrepreneurial attitude, and knowledge (De Haas, 2010). According to that perspective, emigrants had a positive responsibility of enhancing development and contributing to the accelerated longitudinal modernization diffusion in the underdeveloped nations. The emigrants will help in the transition of the societies from conventional to new production methods. Therefore, stimulating the economic growth of the emigrant’s origin countries. Similarly, the receiving nations also benefited from migration by cheaply obtaining the much-needed labor for their industries. The cheap availability of labor enhanced the production process in which industries produced goods and services much faster. When production is enhanced, the development is also stimulated therefore attaining modernization much faster. For instance, the much-received revenues by the company were channeled into developmental activities. The only little amount went into the payment of wages. Therefore, the development of the receiving countries also was steeply enhanced.
In a nutshell, the debate concerning migration has gained momentum in the past decades. People argue that there is no development migration brings to both original and receiving nations. In actual sense, migration is a significant tool for the stimulation of development processes in both countries. According to modernization theory, anything bringing transition from the older ways of living to newer ways of life is an agent of innovation and development. Migration brings new ideas and knowledge to the origin country, therefore, enhancing modernization and innovation.
References
De Haas, H. (2010). Migration and development: A theoretical perspective. International migration review, 44(1), 227-264.
De Haas, H. (2012). The migration and development pendulum: A critical view on research and policy. International migration, 50(3), 8-25.
