Globalization and Immigration

Globalization. What do you think of when you hear that word? Economic opportunity? Vibrant, innovative economies? Worldwide economic opportunities? Or do your thoughts turn to the darker aspects of our global world: War of civilizations? Economic meltdown? World government? This blog will discuss issues relating to immigration and social justice and one place to start is with the topic of globalization or, to use a term coined by Immanuel Wallerstein, the world system. The worldwide system of economic interconnectedness, accompanied by military and political activities that go beyond the border of nation states such as the US, has been going on for centuries. But during the late 20th and early 21st century globalization is becoming more central in our understanding of how many aspects of America’s society operates. And this is particularly the case with immigration.

One of Wallerstein’s key ideas is that of the core of the socio-economic system and its periphery. At the core we find the advanced industrialized nations like the Unites States, the most technologically advanced countries of the European Union, and Japan. At the periphery we find the so-called ‘third world’ nations like those of Latin America and many of the countries of Africa. The countries at the periphery or margins of the system are exploited for their natural resources and, increasingly, for their cheap labor. And we find this with immigration.

The movement of people between countries is not something that is new with globalization in the twenty-first century but a phenomenon which has occurred for centuries. But most people in the United States are not aware of this history and see immigration which occurs as something novel and socially threatening. We see this vividly expressed in the rhetoric surrounding the recent passage of a very punitive state law in Arizona concerning the enforcement of US Immigration Laws. American politicians often use rhetoric, very emotional and often nationalistic appeals, to call for control of undocumented immigrants and point to many of the economic and social woes which currently plague many working and middle class Americans as a direct result of the lack of the enforcement of laws regarding immigration on the national level. On the progressive end of the political spectrum, leaders, starting with President Obama, have soundly criticized this legislation as misguided.

All of this results in a policy debate that is focused on the micro-level from the perspective of world systems theory. What are the questions that we need to ask? If we are concerned with social justice, equal and fair treatment for immigrants, and the creation of a society that benefits all of us, we need to be aware of the history of the movements of immigrants particularly between the US and Mexico; the way in which all of our economies are linked to one another; and how we so often turn to the scapegoating of minority groups, such as those in the lower socioeconomic class, and particularly immigrants, when we experience economic downturns like the one that the United States is currently undergoing. In this blog I will explore many dimensions of immigration, the political debate surrounding it, and the ways in which we can make progress in building our beloved community, a society in which everyone is treated fairly and with respect, in the context of our current social engagement with issues of immigration reform.