Sociological Theories of International Migration: The Case of Refugees

Current studies of refugees & other international migrants have not achieved the capability to explain the scale, direction, composition, & other characteristics of population movements, & usually are not informed by developments in general sociological theory. Rather, they are ad hoc & descriptive, focusing on discrete aspects of the problem. A new paradigm is presented that does not depend on clear distinctions between voluntary & involuntary or between economic & political refugees. Instead, decisions to migrate are seen as either proactive or reactive, & the economic/political dimension as a continuum. Certain policy implications are drawn. A. Waters