The Global Migration Turn and the New International Order in the Long 1970s

This volume aims to present an authoritative account of the transformation in global migration policies and governance that took place during the long 1970s – encompassing some developments of the 1960s or 1980s too. This decade marked a paradigm shift – from a model characterised by North-South relative openness and East-West closure to one of North-South growing restrictions with emergent East-West openness. Our narrative investigates the plight of shanty towns and low-skilled workers, examining how public sentiment on immigration evolved in destination countries and attitudes towards emigration changed in origin countries. We trace the evolving roles of governments, including regulatory measures concerning wages, housing, and cultural integration, culminating in stricter border controls against low-skilled workers. Highlighting the restrictive stances of major Global North destination countries is critical to contextualise broader themes such as refugee crises and brain drain in the Global South, as well as integration challenges within destination countries. The volume extends its focus to the crucial international negotiations aimed at redefining the global order amidst these shifting migration policies, with special attention to the roles played by international organisations. This epoch signalled a transition from bilateral migration management to a more comprehensive engagement of international organisations. These entities were pivotal in addressing the intricate challenges posed by the novel approach to migration. Our goal is to elucidate how the 1970s elevated migration to a major global issue, providing a robust foundation for informed debate and future policymaking.