Migration and the formation of ethnic minorites

Abstract

This paper considers three main issues. First, it deals with the underlying structural causes of international migration, especially labour migration, and the way they are liable to create ethnically distinct sub-populations. In achieving this it presents a typology of forms and characteristics of ethnic migration streams. Secondly, and by way of contrast, the case is argued for the need to consider ethnic migration from the behavioural perspective. Thirdly, reasons are described and suggested for the position of relative disadvantage in which many migrant ethnic minorities find themselves placed.