International Immigration Policy

A Theoretical and Comparative Analysis

Eytan Meyers

• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
• Year: 2004
• Print ISBN: 9781349386062, 9780312231439
• eBook ISBN: 9781403978370
• Topic: Law
• Subtopic: Civil Rights in Law
• Index: Law

Numerous studies explore immigration policies of individual receiving countries. But these studies share several weaknesses. First and foremost, they are empirically orientated and lack a general theory. Second, most examine the policy of single country during a limited period, or, in a few cases, are contributed volumes analyzing each country separately. In general, immigration policy literature tends to be a-theoretic, to focus on specific periods and particular countries, and constitutes an array of discrete bits. This book is a response to this trend, offering a theoretical approach to immigration policy. It explains how governments decide on the number of immigrants they will accept; whether to differentiate between various ethnic groups; whether to accept refugees and on what basis; and whether to favour permanent immigration over migrant workers. The book also answers such questions as: How much influence do extreme-right parties have on the determination of immigration policy? Why do anti-immigration parties and initiatives enjoy greater success in local-state elections, and in the elections for the European Parliament, than in national elections? And under what circumstances does immigration policy become an electoral issue? Meyers draws on a wide array of sources on migration policy-making and using them derives proposed models in a way that few others have done before him. In addition, the book interrelates global and domestic factors that jointly influence government policy-making on international migration in a way that helps to clarify both spheres. Lastly, the work combines historical data with contemporary processes, in a way that draws lessons from the past while recognizing that changing circumstances usually revise governmental responses.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Table of Contents
• List of Figures and Tables
• Introduction
• Chapter 1 A Theory of Immigration Policy
• Chapter 2 Immigration Policies of the United States
• Chapter 3 Immigration Policies of Britain
• Chapter 4 Immigration Policies of the Netherlands
• Chapter 5 Immigration Policies of Germany
• Chapter 6 Global Patterns in Immigration Control Policy
• Chapter 7 Summary and Conclusions
• Notes
• Bibliography
• Index