Extremely detailed revision notes for the migration, identity and sovereignty topic in paper 2 for A Level Edexcel Geography. I included most things listed on the specification and achieved an A* in A Level Geography using these notes. A few aspects are missing from the spec for this specific topic...
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Migration, identity & sovereignty
Economic systems & labour flows –
Globalisation has led to an increase in migration both within countries and among
them through –
ñ Transport improvements – increasing migration due to ease of movement
ñ Increase in no. of international jobs due to globalisation makes people
choose to migrate
ñ Better quality of life in some areas than others (national/international) making
people migrate
ñ A rise in global trading has encouraged a recent rise in international migrants,
the highest since the collapse of empires
Economic system
= a means by which governments & countries distribute resources, trade goods &
services across a geographic region or country
Uneven economic growth may be linked originally to a natural advantage over
other countries, such as a coastline or raw materials. Initial imbalances have been
exaggerated over time due to the outflow of migrants, resources and investment.
Changing patterns of demand for labour
Globalisation works on the principle of free flows of investment capital. Those who
decide where to invest & manufacture normally choose the lowest cost locations –
as a result China/India/Southeast Asia have become manufacturers of the world
due to investment from Western countries. This has lead to 2 processes affecting the
demand for labour –
At a national scale, people move At an international scale, there’s easier
from traditional rural economies to movement of people – the EU allows
work in cities (rural-urban migration) free movement whilst elsewhere most
which have become hubs of countries readily offer work visas to
industrial activity those with skills & a sponsor
, 1. Rural-urban migration within China –
à the government has developed the ‘Hukou
system’ which is a system of household
registration that limits where a person is allowed
to live. You need to buy a permit & granted
allowance to move (if you move without one,
you won’t be entitled to schooling etc)
Used as a tool for geographic, economic,
political & social control – it’s been effective in
slowing the rate of rural-urban migration since
its inception & has meant China doesn’t have.
Large slums surrounding its major cities like seen in India/South America.
PULL to urban PUSH from urban
Þ Urban students attend Þ Without urban registration documents, rural
state of the art schools migrant workers are excluded from urban
& learn from jobs
outstanding teachers Þ Migrant workers living in urban areas will
Þ Urban areas commonly live in makeshift dormitories in
potentially offer building eventually scheduled for
greater job demolition
opportunities & higher Þ Due to the Hukou system, families that
salaries move to cities are often forced to live
without basic services & are denied access
to the vast amount of resources available in
the cities
PULL to rural PUSH from urban
Þ The Hukou internal passport Þ Rural children are subjected to
system means if a person deteriorating buildings, poor materials
leaves a rural area, they & substandard education
forfeit their benefits such as Þ In rural areas there’re fewer medical
education & healthcare clinics
Þ Some families are forced to Þ Remote rural areas can be cut off
separate – in some cases without paved roads & poor markets
both parents leave to work Þ There are very few jobs besides
in cities & are unable to farming available
return, creating a Þ Most of the 362 million people living in
generation of children left China on less than $2 per day are
behind from rural areas
, 2. International migration between countries – EU-Schengen
à the Schengen agreement took effect in 1995 & abolished many internal border
controls within the EU – enabling passport-free movement across most EU member
states. There’re 26 Schengen countries (22 EU & 4 non-EU). The UK remained outside
the Schengen area even before its 2016 decision to leave the EU.
à since 1995, millions of EU citizens have moved freely across the Schengen area –
over 14 million EU citizens. Now live in another member state (2.8% of the EU’s pop)
Positives Negatives
J quick & easy movement – L overcrowded
removes barriers making people L brain drain from people moving
more likely to move away – country loses skilled workers
J allows job vacancies to be filled L may cause conflict between long
– allows more skilled workers term residents & new people
J spread of culture L remittances
J promotes tourism L terrorism – once they enter, can’t
J cheaper to travel (no VISA track them as they’re free to move
needed) anywhere
In 2004 – A8 countries joined EU & estimated 500,000 workers migrated to UK (most
being Polish)
PULL to UK PUSH from Poland
Þ In 2007, there were 600,000 job Þ Poland had average
vacancies for skilled & semi-skilled wage of £150 per month &
labour £12,500 a year
Þ average income in UK was £30,000 a Þ Poland had 2nd highest
year unemployment rate in EU
Þ in 2007, unemployment rate in UK was
5.1%
Þ there’re many established polis
communities in UK (many originate from
WW2)
Þ Tesco advertised in Poland for 140 lorry
drivers due to shortages
Þ UK has an ageing pop & needs younger
workers
Þ If registered & working, migrants can
claim certain benefits (E.g. housing
benefit & tax credits)
, Impacts of polish immigration to UK
Social positive impacts
o 10% of polish migrants were employed by the NHS
o Filled agriculture jobs & in construction
o Pay tax – contribute to local services
Social negative impacts
o Strain on primary school places & teachers have to cope with language barriers
o Strain on doctors
o Polish migrants brought 36,000 dependents (children – need more schools)
o To reduce living costs – migrants have shared bedrooms within rented houses which
has caused residents to complain about noise/drunkenness
o Increase in no. of polish migrants sleeping on streets/parks as unable to claim benefits
when out of work
o Created job competition & disadvantaged low skilled British workers
Economic positive impacts Economic negative impacts
o Migrating offers the opportunity for o Polish sent home estimated £1 bill
polish graduates to pay off debts & home in 2007 which could’ve been
save money than can be used to spent in UK economy
purchase homes o Councils & businesses have had to
o 10% have located in rural areas & employ translators & print literature.
supported local services which To cater new migrants
would’ve decline otherwise o 26,000 child benefit applications
o Benefit of A8 migrants – UK economy have been approved
estimated £2.8bil a year o Raised rent, house prices could
o Filled jobs & pay taxes raise over 10% over 20 years
NOW –
ñ 50% of Polish migrants return home
ñ Economic crisis has resulted in drop in value of the pound – it’s less cost-
effective
ñ Current economic crisis has reduced job opportunities, whilst the polish
economy has continued to grow
ñ Wages in Poland have increased but living costs have remained stable –
whereas living costs have increased in UK
ñ Major building projects require construction workers, such as stadia for the
2012 European Football championship
ñ Missing home
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