Migration and Development in

Latin America: the emergence of a

Southern perspective

Raúl Delgado Wise

Content

Critical topics

Migration and Development in Latin America

The analytical point of departure: development theory and practice

Import Substitution Period: emphasis on internal migration and the dynamics of urbanization

Neoliberal and post-neoliberal Period: emphasis displaced from internal to international migration

Three alternative views: the perspective from the North, the Transnational framework and the perspective from the South

The Southern perspective

It does not entail the negation of the North, but rather the negation of the negation

Atempt to build an integral, inclusive, emancipatory and libertarian perspective

A view grounded on a Critical Development Studies standpoint

Key theoretical and methodological matters

Disentangle: a)The characteristics and main contradictions of neoliberal globalization (i.e. capitalism and imperialism today)

b)Main features of unequal development: the new international division of labour and the new dynamics of unequal exchange

c)The nature of contemporary human mobility: forced migration (the migration and labour question)

d)Analytical framework and alternative research agenda socially committed

Key analytical dimensions

Neolib

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lob

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Neolib

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TRANSITIMPACTS ON

ORIGEN

IMPACTS ON MIGRANTS AND THEIR FAMILIES

IMPACTS ON DESTINATION

ROOT CAUSES

Regional integration, development and migration

Messo level of analysis. Latin America divided:

Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean (Free Trade Agreements with the US). Hegemonic perspective

South America (UNASUR, South American Conference on Migration, alternative development projects—Vivir bien, Buen vivir, XXI Socialism, ECLAC manifesto): counter-hegemonic initiatives + Cuba

Internal, international, transit and return migration

Highly-skilled migration and restructuring of IS

Growing selectivity of migratory flows (fact and strategy)

Brain circulation and gain: Naïve, interested vision

Need of contextualizing the analysis: restructuring of innovation systems under the aegis of neoliberalism

The exportation of highly-skilled labour configures a new modality of dependency. The challenge: to promote alternative development strategies

US: Labour growth 2000-2010

Source: SIMDE, estimations based on CPS, March supplements 2000-2010

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Contribution to US GDP Growth 2000-2010

Sources: SIMDE, estimation based on US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Gross Domestic Product by Industry Accounts, 2000 a 2010, and US Bureau of Census, CPS, March supplement, 2000 to 2010.

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33%

Source: SIMDE, estimations based on CPS (1994-2008); CONEVAL , Línea de pobreza en México y Anuario de Estadísticas Educativas en México, 2008.

Emigration cost for Mexico vs. Remittances 1994-2008

Billion US dollars

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The debate on public policies: migration management

National security doctrine (unilateral position contrary to international rights)

Principle: adjust supply to demand in destination countries (labour matching): corporate-driven public policies + temporary workers programmes

The remittances myth or mantra

The debate on migration policies: migration governance

Human security at the centre (this is not a premise contrary to national sovereignty, but coherent with the principles of equitable and sustainable human development)

Human rights at the centre (to defend a proactive and not only reactive and defensive attitude)

Tackle the root causes of the problematic and not only its consequences: reduce asymmetries and social inequalities, encourage free circulation regimes and promote decent work for everybody