Theories Of MigrationIB SL

Models

• Ravenstein’s Laws Of Migration

• Newton’s Gravity Model

• Zelinsky’s Model Of Mobility Transition

• Clark’s Model Of Migration Decision

• Lee’s Intervening Obstacles Model

• Stouffer’s Law Of Intervening Opportunities

Activity

6 theories of migration are going to be discussed...

Copy the following table and enter the Strengths and Weaknesses for each theory throughout the discussion of each:

Theories Of Migration

Ravenstein Newton Zelinsky Clark Lee StoufferA

D

Ravenstein’s Laws Of Migration

• Every migration flow generates a return or countermigration. • The majority of migrants move a short distance. • Migrants who move longer distances tend to choose big-city

destinations • Urban residents are often less migratory than inhabitants of

rural areas. • Families are less likely to make international moves than

young adults. Other Influences Include:

• Migration stage by stage • Migration and Technology • Economic condition

Ravenstein

• Most migrants travel short distances and their numbers decrease as distance increases

Newton• "Any two bodies attract one another with a force that

is proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.“

• When used geographically, the words 'bodies' and 'masses' are replaced by 'locations' and 'importance' respectively, where importance can be measured in terms of population numbers, gross domestic product, or another appropriate variables.

• The gravity model of migration is therefore based upon the idea that as the importance of one or both of the location increases, there will also be an increase in movement between them. The farther apart the two locations are, however, the movement between them will be less.

ZelinskyStage 1 of the DTM: Pre industrialized economies

• Economies that have not yet developed are made up of rural countries and subsistence farmers. There will only be Rural – Urban migration between the settlements, if at all, as there are few urban areas.

Industrializing countries• As countries start to industrialize (UK in the 18th & 19th century) there

is increased migration from the countryside to the cities where there were better wages and an increase in the standards of living.

Stage 4 of the DTM: Post industrial economies• Advanced countries that rely on tertiary industry more than secondary

industry show an increase in Urban – Rural migration. Technological and transport movement improvements mean that people do not have to live close to where they work. Inter-urbanization occurs as people move to the suburbs

Clark

Internal Vs External Forces+

Stress

Lee

Push• Not enough jobs • Few opportunities • Primitive conditions • Desertification • Famine or drought • Political fear or persecution • Poor medical care • Loss of wealth • Natural disasters • Death threats • Lack of political or religious freedom • Pollution • Poor housing • Landlord/tenant issues • Bullying • Discrimination • Poor chances of marrying

Pull• Job opportunities • Better living conditions • Political and/or religious freedom • Enjoyment • Education • Better medical care • Attractive climates • Security • Family links • Industry • Better chances of marrying

Lee’s Theory of MigrationReasons for Movement

Is It This Simple Though?

• Lee’s Theory of Migration• The decision of groups or

households to move is an important factor

• Migration is not just ‘outside forces and pull/push factors but a deep conscious decision that individuals make

Intervening Obstacles

• Lee pointed out that the migration process is selective because differentials such as age, gender, and social class affect how persons respond to push-pull factors

• These conditions also shape their ability to overcome intervening obstacles.

• Furthermore, personal factors such as a person's education, knowledge of a potential receiver population, family ties, and the like can facilitate or retard migration

Stouffer• The number of persons going a given distance is

directly proportional to the number of opportunities at that distance and inversely proportional to the number of intervening opportunities.“

• Stouffer theorises that the amount of migration over a given distance is directly proportional to the number of opportunities at the place of destination, and inversely proportional to the number of opportunities between the place of departure and the place of destination.

• These intervening opportunities may persuade a migrant to settle in a place in the route rather than proceeding to the originally planned destination. Stouffer argued that the volume of migration had less to do with distance and population totals than with the opportunities in each location

Using The Models Of Migration W/S...

1. See if you can add any more Advantages/ Disadvantages of each theory.

2. Which theory would you choose to best represent you if you were in a decision to migrate (give reasons).

3. Which theory do you feel has most problems (why)?