Volume 11, 2002

Issue N. 4 - International Migration in Asia and Europe: Experiences and Perspectives

Graziano Battistella

"International Migration in Asia vis-à-vis Europe: An Introduction," Vol. 11 (4), p. 405-414, 2002
 

Atsushi Kondo
"The Development of Immigration Policy in Japan," Vol. 11 (4), p. 415-436, 2002
 

This article traces the development of Japan’s immigration policy and the factors which shape its content. The first part discusses the unique aspects of Japan’s immigration policy; the second part outlines the development of an integration policy; the third part examines how admission and immigration controls will have to contend with social changes such as globalization and the aging of the Japanese population. The conclusion cites the need to establish a specific office to implement Japan’s emerging integration policy.

Carl Grundy-Warr
"Lost in Sovereign Space: Forced Migrants in the Territorial Trap," Vol. 11 (4), p. 437-462, 2002
 

In the context of the troubled Burma-Thailand borderland relationship, the "place" of the migrant is greatly influenced by the highly contingent nature of cross-border politics and inter-state relationships. I argue that we cannot divorce the analysis of large-scale human displacement without examining the historical context and political geography context. To understand forced displacement in Burma, it is necessary to link it with the Burmese military regime's quest for national unity. This article discusses how this project leads to forced migration and long-term displacement of the Karenni and Shan. Also discussed are the consequences of displacement on the "migrants" and the human security and sovereignty dilemmas it engenders.

Andrew Hardy
"From a Floating World: Emigration to Europe from Post-War Vietnam," Vol. 11 (4), p. 437-484, 2002
 

This article aims to explain the origins and formation of Europe’s Vietnamese communities. It argues that emigration from post-war Vietnam (1975-1995) was a result of the dismantling of two models of Vietnamese society – the southern regime and the structures of socialism. However, the migration routes owe much to Vietnam’s international relations in the Cold War. Isolation by western countries led to the formation of a Vietnamese community in Western Europe, consisting of refugees. At the same time, ties with the Soviet Union led to the formation of a community in Eastern Europe, consisting of guest workers. Two case studies present contrasting approaches to integration, and suggest possible alternate futures for Vietnamese communities in Europe.

Joaquin Beltrán Antolin
"Asian Immigrants in Spain: An Overview," Vol. 11 (4), p. 485-504, 2002
 

Asian communities in Spain are not very well known in spite of their long settlement and growing population in the country. Spain’s transition as a destination for economic migrants has attracted various Asian groups. However, within the growing number of migration studies in Spain, Asians are rarely the focus of inquiry. This article presents an overview of the origin, evolution and current characteristics of the main Asian communities in Spain. The diverse origins of Asian immigrants on the one hand, and the development of migration policies and the economic structure of Spain on the other, are part of the general context within which to understand the settlement of Asian immigrants.

Ricard Zapata-Barrero
"State-based Logic versus EU-based Logic Towards Immigrants: Evidences and Dilemmas," Vol. 11 (4), p. 505-528, 2002

Since the Treaty on European Union in 1992, there have been two contrasting conceptions of how one should approach the EU political union. From the EU standpoint, this process is a gain, but from the States’ point of view it is a loss. There is a third logic that makes up the EU: that of third-country immigrants residing in the Member States (Euro-immigrants). For this population the process is neither a gain nor a loss, but simply something that is being discussed and carried out without taking them into consideration. This lack of attention shows that at present the treatment of Euro-immigrants is following a state fundamentalist logic and not a multicultural logic as would be historically appropriate for the EU. In the interest of fostering discussion, this paper presents relevant considerations in four sections. The first section presents the theoretical framework for the discussion; the second section discusses state fundamentalism, with a brief historical review of how the European States have treated immigrants politically; the third section sums up how the EU dealt with immigration from the Trevi Group of 1975 until the Amsterdam Treaty of 1997; and the fourth and final section, concludes with a discussion on the normative dilemmas and institutional challenges deriving from the relationship between the EU and the Euro-immigrants. I argue that the EU can only be politically constructed if it takes the presence of immigrant residents into account.

Catherine Wihtol de Wenden

"Integration and Citizenship: An Essay," Vol. 11 (4), p. 529-534, 2002
 

Integration and citizenship questions concern immigrants in Europe. These questions are difficult to address because of the different histories and settlement patterns of immigrants in receiving societies. The European dimension has introduced new values in integration and citizenship policies. One change is the revision of nationality laws in the 1990s to take account of the long-term presence of immigrants. However, an important gap persists between admission policies, which are governed by regional agreements, and integration and citizenship policies, which are subject to national or state laws. New trends and new mobilities present further challenge in how to reconcile admission and integration policies.

DOCUMENTATION

"ASEM Ministerial Conference on Cooperation for the Management of Migratory Flows between Europe and Asia," Vol. 11 (4), p. 535-538, 2002


 

BOOK REVIEWS

Louis-Jacques Dorais, Sophie Dorais

"Arguing and Justifying: Assessing the Convention Refugees' Choice of Moment, Motive and Host Country"
By Robert F. Barsky, Vol. 11 (4), p. 539-540, 2002

Xiushi Yang
"Internal Migration in Contemporary China"
By Delia Davin, Vol. 11 (4), p. 541-544, 2002

Brenda Yeoh
"Transnational Urbanism: Locating Globalization"
By Michael Peter Smith, Vol. 11 (4), p. 544-546, 2002