Neo-classical economic migration theory (Ranis and Fei, 1961; Harris and
Todaro 1970, Todaro 1976) explains the decision to migrate as one of
income maximisation in which wealth differentials and differences in
employment opportunities constitute important pull factors. International
migration is expected to be determined by geographic differences in the
supply and demand of labour. Ultimately, in this view, it is wage
differentials which can explain movements from low-wage countries to
high-wage countries. In it micro-economic extension (Sjaastad, 1962;
Borjas 1990), rational actors (be it individuals or larger units such as
families or households) decide to migrate in the expectation of a positive,
often monetary, net return from migration. In this framework, the decisive
factor is income differentials as well as the probability of employment in
the destination country. In other words migration decisions can be seen as
being guided by processes of income maximisation and risk minimisation.
Historical Ties, Networks & Path Dependency
Historical ties between countries of origin and destination countries often
lead to transport, trade and communication links which tend to facilitate
movements of people from one country to the other. Material links are
often accompanied by ideological or cultural links. Colonial legacies often
explain why administrative and educational systems in third world
countries mirror those of a past colonial power and often continue to be
reflected in migration flows long after independence (Fassmann and
Muenz 1992). For example, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis learn English,
are raised in a British-style education system and keep up links with the
UK through the Commonwealth. Language ties, communication links and
cultural networks that are responsible for the diffusion of particular
consumption patterns, can be responsible for channeling international
migration to particular destination countries (Massey et al., 1993: 446-7).
Moreover, the fact that migrant or refugee communities have been
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