A Call for Unified Migration Theory: VandenBelt’s NAIMS Framework | Migration Theoretical Frameworks

A Call for a Unified Theoretical Approach to the Study of Migration by Kristin VandenBelt is approachable and well-organised, but the concepts can feel abstract if you are new to migration theory. I recommend keeping the original paper nearby as you go through this summary. This post is designed to work as a reading companion or study guide, especially if you’re studying migration theory, interdisciplinary research methods, or preparing literature reviews in International Relations or Sociology.

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Basic Info:

• Author(s): Kristin VandenBelt
• Year of Publication: 2020
• Journal/Publisher: Uluslararası İlişkiler
• Link to Paper: https://www.jstor.org/stable/26980740 

Main Research Question

This paper aims to propose a singular framework governing migration.

1. NAIMS, or Network Analysis of International Migration Systems, is the framework proposed by the author to integrate fragmented theories and create a strong theoretical foundation (VandenBelt, 2020, p. 131).

Key Arguments and Findings

Regarding a Weak Theoretical Foundation

VandenBelt goes into detail in outlining the multiple theories that have been proposed relating to migration. The author states the initial assumptions that most scholars agree on:

1. Migration needs to be studied with an interdisciplinary lens(VandenBelt, 2020, p. 130).
2. The existing literature on migration forms a weak theoretical base (VandenBelt, 2020, p.130) .

Different fields of study like IR, sociology, anthropology, use various terms and approaches which creates fragmentation in the theoretical literature. This makes it difficult for more research to be done on migration (VandenBelt, 2020, p. 130).

The way I understand it: Take the example of IR. We have solid terms like “Neorealism” that are well established. So, if in discourse, I say “that’s a neorealist perspective” everyone in the field understands in general what I mean by “Neorealism.” With this existing foundation, they can critique or agree with me.

In a field of study like migration, where anthropologists, sociologists, public policy (policy-ists?) political scientists etc try to have conversations it becomes very difficult because the foundation is weak. And this also means that the research that continues to happen does not build in a general direction and remains scattered. Hence, most migration scholars, according to VandenBelt, agree that there is a need for a stronger theoretical foundation (VandenBelt, 2022, p. 130).

That being established, NAIMS is her integrated, multidisciplinary approach that blends two existing frameworks to account for their individual flaws.

VandenBelt spends a section explaining the weakness of the existing theoretical foundation.

VandenBelt first explains how theories of Migration Initiation  i.e. how migration starts, and theories of Migration Perpetuation differ. 

• Migration Initiation theories, like the network theory, explain how Migration begins. It derives from sociology and anthropology (VandenBelt, 2022, p. 132) .
  • According to network theory, existing migration networks enable more migration. It creates social capital that can be exploited by people in the destination as well as origin countries (VandenBelt, 2022, p. 133). 
  • Limitation: Doesn’t explain how flows begin in the first place; it only explains perpetuation once connections exist (VandenBelt, 2022, p. 135).
• Migration Perpetuation theories, like systems theory, derive from the field of geography. It explains how migration flows continue (VandenBelt, 2022, p. 135).
  • At the core of the systems approach is pre-existing migration network wherein a large number of migrants have already been exchanged (VandenBelt, 2022, p. 135).
  • The systems approach also reconciles the spatial and temporal dimension of migration networks with the space dimension.
    • Spatial dimensions (how sending and receiving regions are linked by geography, colonial history, culture) (VandenBelt, 2022, p. 136).
    • Temporal dimensions (how migration flows evolve over time due to feedback loops) (VandenBelt, 2022, p. 136).
  • Strength: Looks at big macro-level structures and historical linkages (VandenBelt, 2022, p. 137).
  • Limitation: Sometimes conceptually vague and harder to operationalise (VandenBelt, 2022, p. 137).
• An example of Migration Initiation theory is network theory.
• An example of Migration Perpetuation theory is the migration systems theory.

Now, we Consider NAIMS. This new proposed approach:

• Allows researchers to integrate both micro-level decisions (personal ties) and macro-level structures (policies, economies, histories) in their analyses.
• Is applicable to a wide range of causes of migrations – forced, economic, temporary etc.

However, as VandenBelt says, there are two main limitations of the NAIMS approach:

• It does not explain how migration flows are initiated (VandenBelt, 2022, p. 139).
• It does not incorporate macro conditions beyond migration initiation (VandenBelt, 2022, p.139) .

Why Is This Paper Important?

This paper addresses a major and long-standing gap in migration studies, i.e. the lack of a single, solid theoretical framework. It provides a direction for multidisciplinary integration, levels of analyses, and migration types. It can potentially provide a foundation for future, unified discourse in the field of migration studies.

TL;DR

Network theory of migration is good but has limitations. Migration systems theory is good but has limitations. The NAIMS approach combines their strength and cancels out the limitations. As argued, NAIMS provides a stronger theoretical foundation for migration studies.

Reference

VandenBelt, K. (2020). A Call for a Unified Theoretical Approach to the Study of Migration: Network Analysis of International Migration Systems. Uluslararası İlişkiler / International Relations, 17(68), 129–143. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26980740

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Topics Covered in this Post:
1. NAIMS (Network Analysis of International Migration Systems)
2. Migration theory
3. International migration theory
4. Interdisciplinary migration studies



Keywords

[Best frameworks for studying migration, Understanding migration theory for students, Unified theoretical approaches in migration research, Comprehensive migration theory guide, Migration theory study guide, Migration initiation theories, Migration perpetuation theories, Sociology of migration, Geography of migration, Migration systems theory, Network theory migration]