Introduction

The quote by Sir John Hicks reflects the conventional wisdom of what is the main cause of migration, within and across borders. Even though there might be some truth in the statement, other factors also play an important role when it comes to understanding the complex patterns related to migration and human mobility. The context and theoretical starting point in Hicks’ analysis is, in fact, based on traditional microeconomic theory, which emphasises the rational, utility-maximising individual (for a discussion, see, for instance, Borjas, 1994, 2000; Bonin et al, 2008; Krieger, 2008). This chapter interprets this approach and discusses other competing explanations. As will be shown, a critical view of the classical economy-driven explanations to migration can offer a much broader understanding of key migration patterns while providing insights into the factors that can facilitate or hinder migration, such as different institutional structures. One of the key arguments of this chapter is, in fact, that institutions and policies play an important role with regard to migration, even though they have been rather neglected elements in more classical rational choice-oriented economic approaches.

In order to substantiate this argument, this chapter first presents the classic push and pull factors related to legal and illegal migration. It also highlights their impact on sending and receiving countries as well as on different welfare states. By so doing, the chapter lays the foundation for a discussion about how different sectors of the labour market (agricultural, industrial, service, high/low skill) shape different forms of inclusion and exclusion of migrant workers. This seems to be particularly important if the context of different nationally embedded labour market traditions is to be considered. Important differences in labour integration also exist in terms of the gender segregation in the labour market and, more specifically, the degree of integration seems to depend on the different sectors in which men and women are working (such as construction and care). The chapter, hence, aims to address the question of the differential impact that national welfare and labour market policies may have on migration, directly or indirectly.