Introduction: The Multi-layered Governance of Migration

This introductory chapter sets the scene for the analysis conducted in the book. It starts from a revealing quote from the former Italian Interior Minister, suggesting that it is crucial to look at cognitive and relational factors to understand the processes that led to key outputs of migration governance during the ‘asylum crisis’. The chapter then specifies the book’s key concepts and research design, explaining how and why the book proposes to look at processes and mechanisms within the European multi-layered migration governance system that led to key outputs produced throughout the ‘asylum crisis’ in Italy. The chapter then illustrates the key themes and findings of the book, how the research was developed, and how the book is organised.