Forced Migration and Accumulation by Dispossession: A Suggested Model for Understanding Mexican Immigration

Submission Type

Event

Expected Graduation Date

2013

Location

Room E104, Center for Natural Sciences, Illinois Wesleyan University

Start Date

4-20-2013 10:00 AM

End Date

4-20-2013 11:00 AM

Disciplines

Anthropology | Sociology

Abstract

This study on Mexican immigration is two-fold. On the one hand, I will delineate how the logic of capital accumulation, particularly accumulation by dispossession, forces Mexicans to migrate to the United States. As a nuanced contribution to World Systems analysis of migration, I will highlight three Marxian concepts that dialectically constitute forced migration: ‘expanded reproduction’, the ‘global reserve army’ and ‘accumulation by dispossession.’ In today’s neoliberal era, ‘accumulation by dispossession’ proves to be a decisive aspect of capital accumulation. On the other hand, I will highlight specific aspects of the experiences of Mexican immigrants living in the Bloomington-Normal area in order to expose first hand the injustices of forced migration. In my conclusion, I will emphasize not only that migration is a human right, but also that there should be a right not to migrate: that is, development on people’s own terms is the necessary prescription to cease forced migration. Accordingly, I will bring attention to what migrants themselves affirm regarding what is to be done.

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Apr 20th, 10:00 AM Apr 20th, 11:00 AM

Forced Migration and Accumulation by Dispossession: A Suggested Model for Understanding Mexican Immigration

Room E104, Center for Natural Sciences, Illinois Wesleyan University

This study on Mexican immigration is two-fold. On the one hand, I will delineate how the logic of capital accumulation, particularly accumulation by dispossession, forces Mexicans to migrate to the United States. As a nuanced contribution to World Systems analysis of migration, I will highlight three Marxian concepts that dialectically constitute forced migration: ‘expanded reproduction’, the ‘global reserve army’ and ‘accumulation by dispossession.’ In today’s neoliberal era, ‘accumulation by dispossession’ proves to be a decisive aspect of capital accumulation. On the other hand, I will highlight specific aspects of the experiences of Mexican immigrants living in the Bloomington-Normal area in order to expose first hand the injustices of forced migration. In my conclusion, I will emphasize not only that migration is a human right, but also that there should be a right not to migrate: that is, development on people’s own terms is the necessary prescription to cease forced migration. Accordingly, I will bring attention to what migrants themselves affirm regarding what is to be done.