Global Migration: Causes, Effects, and Societal Impacts
Causes of Displacement
Although there are no accurate statistics, the United Nations population estimates that 150 million people were living outside their country of origin at the beginning of the 21st century.
Push Factors
The increased number of displacements is caused by economic reasons, and the rest are due to political, cultural, or environmental disasters.
Pull Factors
The reasons vary. Knowing that some countries have abundant labor and a high standard of living attracts many migrants. North American and European television broadcasts an image of wealth and prosperity that could influence the emigration of many people, even without leaving their place of origin.
Globalization Effects
Traditionally, there has been migration from former colonies to the colonizing countries. For example, Moroccans and Algerians have emigrated to France (the former colonial power). At present, emigration between former colonies and their respective mother countries is still important. However, today, information about the possibility of finding work or being able to enter a country reaches around the world. Migration networks, legal or not, take advantage of globalization and precarious employment, diversify, and are directed in general from poor to rich countries. Some countries that have been sending migrants for years have now become receiving countries.
Immigration Consequences
- Contributes to population growth (Spain has 45 million people, 5.4 million, or 10%, are foreigners).
- The immigrant population tends to be composed of young people and women (with high fertility). This contribution of children slows the aging of the population, fills schools, and ensures the working population.
- Immigrants often take on low-paid jobs. Most work in the service sector. This allows for low-wage farming and maintains profits in sectors like construction.
- Immigrants with work permits contribute to social security and pay taxes like any other citizen, helping to pay the pensions of retirees.
- The arrival of many immigrants can cause difficulties in integration because they are people with very different customs, sometimes with little training and few resources. They may have difficulty finding housing and integrating into society.
Malls
These are large complexes that mix business and pleasure. These large consumer centers are also spaces of sociability and interpersonal relationships, acting as benchmarks in territories with limited community spaces.
- They are enclosed spaces that aim to create a world apart from the outside.
- They are physically controlled spaces (temperature, humidity, light, friendly atmosphere).
- They are secure spaces (with security services) in North America and Europe.
Risks of Globalization
The spread of certain diseases and terrorism are two threats in our globalized world.
Diseases
The ease and speed of communication increase the risk of spreading certain diseases (such as AIDS). Treatment of this disease varies greatly depending on the degree of development of a country. In wealthy countries, expensive drugs are available, while in poor countries, they are often out of reach. The pressure of international organizations has led some pharmaceutical companies to provide generic drugs to poor countries at affordable prices.
Terrorism
The globalized world is threatened by violent groups of people who reject the global political and social order and seek to defeat it through terrorism. This violence is difficult to fight because they act in unexpected places, using powerful destructive weapons that cause thousands of casualties.
Communication, Information, and Development
Advances in the field of electronics have allowed computers to become one of the most important factors of development in just a few years. Thanks to information technology, any work done today is done with more efficiency and speed. It has enabled the creation of information highways (text, data, images, and sounds). New technologies allow us to see what’s happening on the planet live. Within the information superhighway, the most used network is the Internet.
Decolonization
Most poor countries were former colonies dominated by European powers who exploited their wealth for personal gain. When these colonies gained independence, generally in the mid-twentieth century, they had few material resources and an unprepared population. In fact, the new countries have continued under the economic domination of their former metropolis, which continues to exploit their natural resources, employ part of their labor in mines and plantations, and even interfere in political affairs. Furthermore, decolonization has been followed by endless wars that devastate the countries, consume international loans for the purchase of weapons, and cause thousands of refugees.
Demographic Imbalance
Statistics show that the birth rate tends to decline worldwide; however, it remains high in poor countries. As child mortality also tends to decrease, the result is a very large young population.