The Crucial Meso-Level

Abstract

The total migrant population in the world is estimated to about 2 per cent of the world's population. The review and partial reconstruction of theories about international South to North migration emphasises the meso-level between what are usually called the micro- and the macro-levels, the level of analysis between individuals and larger structures such as the nation-state. This chapter discusses micro- and macro-level theories about the volume and dynamics of South to North movement. In addition to opportunity structures information plays a decisive role for migration decision making. Networks of social ties connect migrants to other migrants and natives in the receiving country (who hold various amounts of human, financial and political capital). For the brokers facilitating international migration, migrant networks can provide a lucrative business. At some point in migration processes, networks sustain population flows in ways that are less dependent on objective economic-political conditions in the areas of origin and destination.

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