Network Theory
The network theory of migration posits that networks are formed between migrants in the origin country as well as the destination countries through friendship, community or familial connections. The interpersonal ties that the migrants develop help in reducing the costs needed to migrate as well as risks a potential migrant would face in the new country. As migrant networks increase over time, it not only reduces the costs and risks involved, but also increases the chances of employment for the new migrants. Networking and its increase over years not only helps facilitate increased migration over years but also broadens the migrant base in the origin country. People who do not have interpersonal ties also migrate as networks are already formed and in place. As migrants who have already settled in the destination country help new migrants find employment and a place to stay, the costs of migration come down. Knowing people with ties to the destination community also decreases the chances of risk a new migrant might face. The theory also argues that migrant decision making at one point alters the course taken by the future migrants and thus migration does not solely involve decision making by the individual or the family. As migration increases, the original factors that caused it slowly take a backseat and migrations become representative of the origin country and less socio-economical. These networks are largely outside the purview of government bodies. However at times, certain immigration policies of governments make it easier for the families of migrants to move through ‘special rights of entry’ ( Massey et al 450). No matter what the government regulations and policies, migration will continue as long as the incentives are higher.
Institutional Theory
This theory on migration posits that as migration evolves and increases, certain institutions, for-profit, private companies and and nonprofit agencies grow along with them that facilitate the process of migration. While the private companies and for-profit networks work with the migrants to make more money for themselves, the nonprofit sector helps the migrants, informing about their rights and helping with any problems they might face. In a way the increase of non profit organizations working for migrant rights are a result of the private, for-profit organizations that create an environment of exploitation and vulnerability for the migrants. The private organizations indulge in activities such as arranging employment opportunities, visas, marriages and false documents to make a profit off of the migrants. Although not all private institutions indulge in illegal activities, most of them are exploitative of the migrants to maximise profit. The non governmental, non profit organizations on the other hand work with the migrants and help them with food, accommodation, applying for legitimate documents as well as insulation from immigration officials.
Network theory and Institutional theory are similar on many fronts. They point allude to the fact that as migration increases and networks and institutions that support them increase, the migration becomes independent of the original reasons that caused it in the first place. Also both the theories agree that the the networks as well as institutions are out of the purview of the government. Migrant labor force, both legal and illegal are a profit making source and lead to a flourishing black market in institutionalized migration. Institutional theory does not focus on the interpersonal ties that form the basis for migration. A lot of the private institutions such as businesses and companies still rely on interpersonal and community ties to bringing cheap labor to the destination country. As the two theories explain, as long as economical and political incentives are better in the destination countries, migration will continue irrespective of the measures taken by the governments.
Works Cited
Massey et al. Theories of International Migration: A Review and Appraisal. Population and Development Review. 19. 3 (1993). 431-466 .
