International Migration Policies: 1950‐2000
| Date | 01 February 2001 |
| Author | Reginald Appleyard |
| Published date | 01 February 2001 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1111/1468-2435.00176 |
Published by Blackwell Publishers Ltd.,
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© 2001 IOM
International Migration Vol. 39 (6) SI 2/2001
ISSN 0020-7985
International Migration Policies:
1950-2000
Reginald Appleyard*
ABSTRACT
Policies on international migration since the Second World War reflect the
enormous changes in economic, social and political situations around the
world.
The implications of changes in the volume and composition of international
migration have increasingly become an issue of major concern to govern-
ments in all countries.
Following emigration from Europe to countries of the New World as a result
of war-damaged economies, reconstruction witnessed high demand for
migrant labour, mainly from parts of southern Europe. But by the early
1970s, decline in economic growth, unexpected impacts of the guest-worker
scheme, and an increase in refugees from Third World countries led, in due
course, to an era of restriction on entry of asylum-seekers and tighter
controls over undocumented migration to developed countries.
A “new era” evolved during the 1990s, characterized by growing inter-
dependence of major economic powers. Globalization led not only to a
significant demand for highly-skilled and professional workers, but also to
decision-making on some aspects of the migration process being transferred
from the national to the regional level, and an increase in the influence of
multinational corporations.
The globalization process, and the growing influence of international trade
regimes, may well represent the first steps towards a new “international
migration regime” that incorporates all types of migration.
* Graduate School of Management, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western
Australia.
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