International Relations Versus International Migration: Complements or Substitutes?

This chapter examines whether international relations and international migration are complementary. Migration is a consequence of globalization and contributes to the strengthening of cross-border socioeconomic and political relations, as both academic research and practical experience show. There is little doubt that globalization has displaced millions of people and set in motion population shifts that are difficult to control. As a result, increased migration is one of the most obvious and important facets of globalization, as more and more people migrate within and beyond national borders in search of better economic opportunities and lifestyles. Migration contributes to sustainable development despite its typically unfavourable perception. With appropriate policies, remittances can contribute to local economic growth in low-income and emerging economies such as India and Bangladesh. Even in a number of industrialized nations with aging populations, such as in Europe and Southeast Asia, migrant workers constitute a growing share of the labour force and support national welfare systems. National and international policies must recognize the contribution of migration to sustainable development and explicitly defend the rights of migrants, which are too often ignored in efforts to limit their mobility. This qualitative study collects data through internet research, analysis of documents and reports, and a review of much relevant literature. My data analysis suggests that migrants/migration create and influence interactions between states and that these relationships should be widely researched. Therefore, I argue that international migration enhances international relations.