Ceravolo, F. A., & Eve, M. (2017). Paul Collier, Exodus. How Migration is Changing Our World, Oxford Universities Press. Cambio. Rivista Sulle Trasformazioni Sociali, 7(13), 199–203. https://doi.org/10.13128/cambio-21921

• Assumptions on Cultural Diversity:
  • Collier posits that cultural diversity, stemming from migration, directly impacts social cohesion and trust within societies. He leans on Robert Putnam’s findings to support this, asserting that societies with significant immigrant or ethnic minority populations are less cohesive.
  • However, the review points out that this assertion is not universally accepted in the academic community. Research in this area has produced varied results, and many studies controlling for other factors have found no significant impact of diversity on social cohesion.
  • The review criticizes Collier for not engaging with this broader range of literature, which is crucial to understanding the complex social consequences of immigration.
• Over-Simplification of Migration Dynamics:
  • Collier’s projection of an inevitable acceleration of immigration, unless border controls are tightened, is seen as overly simplistic. He attributes this acceleration to the widening wage gap between African (and some Asian) countries and Western nations.
  • The review challenges this, citing research that shows little correlation between salary gaps and migration volumes. Migration trends depend more on job availability rather than the potential economic benefit.
  • This critique suggests that Collier’s economic-focused approach may overlook other critical factors influencing migration, such as social networks, government policies, and historical ties.
• Reliance on Macroeconomic Data:
  • Collier’s heavy reliance on macroeconomic data is highlighted as a limitation. The review suggests that this reliance potentially jeopardizes the reliability of his arguments, especially when forecasting future migration flows and social consequences.
  • The lack of qualitative studies and other methodological approaches in Collier’s work is seen as a gap, limiting the depth and breadth of his analysis.

Broader Questions Raised

• Impact of Migration on Social Relations and Structure:
  • Collier’s book raises important questions about how mass migration affects social relations and the structure of both immigration and emigration societies. However, the review suggests that Collier’s framework may be too narrow to fully explore these complex transformations.
  • The reviewer notes that the phrase “transforming society” needs a more precise definition and understanding. Simply observing more ethnic diversity (like kebab shops or women with headscarfs) is not sufficient to claim a societal transformation.
• Challenge of Understanding ‘Cultural Diversity’:
  • Collier assumes that migrants maintain a static ‘national culture’ that persists even into the second generation. This view is criticized for being unrealistic, as migrant identities and values are shaped significantly by their life situations and interactions in the host country.
  • The review emphasizes the importance of considering the dynamic nature of culture and identity among migrants, which is often influenced by factors like social inequalities and living conditions.
• Socio-Economic Inequalities and Migration:
  • The review suggests that it might not be ‘diversity’ per se that impacts trust and social cohesion, but rather the social inequalities often associated with migration. Areas with high immigrant populations might also be areas with higher crime rates or lower socio-economic status, influencing perceptions and social relations.

Peter Lawrence (2016) Exodus: immigration and multiculturalism in the 21st century, Review of African Political Economy, 43:148, 328-336, DOI: 10.1080/03056244.2016.1168965

Global Migration Patterns

• The review contrasts Collier’s focus on migration from poor to rich countries with global data showing diverse migration patterns.
• Most migrants originate from middle-income countries and move to high-income countries, while those from low-income countries typically migrate to neighboring middle-income countries.
• Contrary to the focus on African and Asian migration to Europe, a significant portion of migration happens within the same geographical regions, such as within Africa and Europe itself.

Collier’s Analytical Approach

• Collier employs modern economic inquiry methods, constructing models to relate measurable variables to migration.
• His approach includes non-economic factors, such as corruption and governance, measured quantitatively for inclusion in these models.
• The underlying theory is based on the rational choice perspective, where migration is seen as an economic decision for utility maximization by individuals and their financiers.

Key Factors Driving Migration

• Collier identifies three primary drivers: income disparities between origin and host countries, economic/legal/social barriers to migration, and the presence of diasporas.
• He suggests that larger diasporas in the host country lead to higher migration rates, creating a feedback loop where diasporas perpetuate more migration.
• This cycle, according to Collier, may lead to significant disequilibrium in migration patterns.

Conceptual and Methodological Issues

• The division into ‘diaspora’ and ‘indigenous’ populations in host countries is criticized for oversimplification.
• Collier’s model does not fully account for the diversity within these groups, such as different ethnicities, classes, and migration objectives among migrants.
• The review suggests that a more nuanced model is needed to accurately represent the complex nature of migration and integration processes.

Immigration Policy Recommendations

• Collier’s policy package includes immigration ceilings, selectivity, integration, and legalization.
• He advocates for limits based on the rate of diaspora absorption and suggests selectivity based on educational levels and cultural proximity.
• Integration policies involve measures against racism, dispersal of immigrants, language learning, and promotion of common citizenship symbols.
• Legalization involves granting guest worker status to illegal immigrants, with certain restrictions and requirements.

Critical Reflections

• The review points out several inaccuracies and generalizations in Collier’s arguments.
• There is criticism of the book’s Eurocentric and UK-centric perspective, which overlooks broader global migration dynamics.
• Collier’s approach is seen as contributing to a narrow academic discourse on migration, potentially reinforcing anti-immigration narratives.
• The book is also critiqued for its potential alignment with neoliberal ideologies and for not adequately considering the role of corporate and capitalist dynamics in migration.