The Challenge of Global Migration Governance: A Rationalist Approach

• In Event: The Global Governance of Migration: Competing Theories, Comparing Regions

Abstract

Why is international cooperation to manage migration so difficult to achieve? International migration has been steadily increasing in every region of the globe since the end of the Second World War and it has contributed to the growth in economic interdependence. One of the principal effects of economic interdependence is to compel states to cooperate. Increasing international migration is one indicator of interdependence, and it shows no signs of abating.

In this paper we measure levels of migration interdependence, with states in Europe, North America, and Asia relying heavily on migration for national development, whether through labour migration (both high- and low-skilled) or income generators via remittances. As the international market for skilled and unskilled labour grows, pressures to create an international regime will increase. We identify two ways in which states can overcome coordination problems in the absence of a multilateral process that can build trust and reciprocity and overcome asymmetries: (1) through the centralization of regulatory power and pooling of sovereignty, and (2) suasion or “tactical issue linkage.” We explore the logic of collective action and the difficulties of defining migration governance as a global public good, in light of developments in Europe (the EU) and North America.

Authors

• James F. Hollifield, Southern Methodist University

• Hiroki Takeuchi, Southern Methodist University