International Migration: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

By Khalid Koser

Book Overview

International migration is an issue of intense public and political concern. How closely linked are migrants with terrorist organizations? What factors lie behind the dramatic increase in the number of woman migrating? This Very Short Introduction looks at the global phenomenon of human migration--both legal and illegal-revealing how migration actually presents opportunities that must be taken advantage of in light of the current economic climate. The author debunks myths such as the claim that migrants take jobs away from local workers, or that they take advantage of health care systems. He reveals why society as we now know it could not function without them.

Using interviews with migrants from around the world, the author presents the human side of topics such as asylum and refugees, human trafficking, migrant smuggling, development, and the international labor force. His goal throughout is to allow readers to see beyond the negative spin usually given the subject by the media and politicians, and come to their own conclusions on the current international migration situation. It is a valuable reference for students of economics, politics, geography, or sociology, and for anyone interested in taking a deeper look at media coverage of immigration and its effects.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0199298017
• ISBN13: 9780199298013
• Release Date: May 2007
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 152 Pages
• Weight: 0.32 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.8" x 4.2"

Customer Reviews

It does what it says it does

This very short introduction does exactly what it says it does: it gives a broad overview of the facts, controversies, and discourse surrounding international migration. Previous to reading this, I was only familiar with US-Mexico Migration because of my research area. This broadened my view of migration and put my research in an international perspective. I found it easy to read and informative, even if not altogether original. I won't fault it for lack of originality - that's not what this series is known for. It's just there to give people introductions, which this book does well.