Migration: An economist’s historical perspective

This project provides a historical perspective on migration, demonstrating that it is the defining feature of our species, without which homo sapiens would not have thrived and populated our planet. Migrants are exceptional people who made our past and will define our future. Not all migration should be encouraged and involuntary migration, including in the barbaric form of slavery and with indentured labour, was instrumental in the projection of political and economic power, before giving way to the age of mass migration in the 19th century. Over the past century, the establishment of nation states, and with them borders and passports has changed the dynamics of migration. It also has increased the prospects of refugees being stranded. Migrants have become a target of political parties who seek to capitalise on rising anti-immigrant sentiment. Increasing restrictions are not the answer, as these threaten to undermine economic growth, suppress innovation and impact negatively on the welfare of the migrants and their dependents. Suggestions that migrants reduce wages, increase unemployment and undermine the prospects of the countries they leave are not borne out by the evidence. Policies that are supportive of migrants can lead to improved wages, increase employment, and improve the prospects of their source countries.