European migration from east to west: Present patterns and future directions

Abstract

Abstract Present‐day migration control is largely a social and political construction, it cannot explain the patterns and processes of East‐West migration. Western anxieties have been misleading, and are used as a substitute for the fears of the Cold War period. In reality, the rich countries of Western Europe have largely been able to control their borders and define the sort of immigration they want to accept. Most of the migrants from Eastern Europe have come in an arranged form, particularly the ethnic migrants. Uncontrolled immigration is concentrated in those sectors of the economy where regulation is weak, and internal forces are operating in favour of unregistered immigration. Compared to the USA, the regulated European economies provide more internal controls allowing a gradual opening of the borders to the East. Such a system is more sophisticated than a mere reliance on border controls. However, it is only feasible in a peaceful setting of emergent consensus. Since Europe as a whole is in demographic decline, planned immigration will be a necessity. This need coincides with the present migration trends which are largely affecting Germany, but more recently Italy also.