Externalisation in Migration Studies

The practice of shifting responsibility for managing borders or migration issues to other countries, often outside of the European Union.

Research that focuses on the present without considering historical context or precedents.

The tendency for externalisation research to prioritize state-centric perspectives, overlooking the roles of non-state actors.

Organizations like international NGOs, civil society groups, and private for-profit companies that play a role in externalisation.

The ability of actors involved with externalisation to act independently and pursue their own goals.

The various actors involved with externalisation, including states, international organizations, and private actors.

Whether externalisation is a new phenomenon or a continuation of past practices like colonialism.

The European Union's self-representation as built on decolonization values, which has led to a lack of focus on colonial-imperial history in its own narrative.

Private actors that are involved in the movement of migrants, such as businesses that provide transport or detention services.

A situation where multiple actors, both state and non-state, are intertwined in shaping migration policies.

When private actors, such as corporations or NGOs, have their own agency and influence migration policies independently of states.

The practice of states using other countries' borders and resources to control migration, often without full transparency or accountability.

The act of pushing back migrants to prevent them from entering a country, often through force or coercion.

The ability of non-state actors to shape migration policies, even challenging the territorial control of states.

The tendency to view non-European subjects and their actions through the lens of Western rationalist and materialist frameworks, often reducing their motivations to economic or strategic interests.

The practice of shifting responsibility for managing migration flows to countries outside the European Union, often by providing financial or other forms of assistance.

The critique that EU externalisation policies often overlook the agency and perspectives of non-EU actors, treating them as passive recipients rather than active participants in shaping migration policies.

The idea that non-EU countries, despite their perceived 'junior' status, possess agency and strategic interests that influence their interactions with the EU, challenging the notion of one-sided power dynamics.

The ability of states to act independently and make choices based on their own interests, especially in contexts where external influences are strong.

A critique of the Westphalian model of sovereignty, suggesting it doesn't fully capture the reality of state autonomy in non-Western contexts, where resistance to outside influence may be more nuanced.

A form of resistance to external intervention that emphasizes local capacities and the ability to address domestic challenges through indigenous solutions.

The act of prioritizing local contexts, perspectives, and knowledge systems when analyzing international phenomena, moving away from Eurocentric biases.

The blurring of the lines between inside and outside when it comes to borders, particularly at sea.

Non-state actors, like NGOs and companies, playing a significant role in border management and migration control.

The concept that migration routes are not just physical paths but connected networks of people, places, and organizations.

The practice of classifying rescued migrants into various legal categories, each with different rights and limitations.

The argument that externalisation is not a new phenomenon, but rather a continuation of past practices like colonialism.

Policies that aim to detain migrants on vessels in international waters for extended periods

The act of using the ambiguity of the sea to control migration, taking advantage of the lack of clear territorial boundaries.

The practice of using private companies and organizations to implement border control and migration management policies. This extends beyond state-led actions.

The shifting nature of how the EU manages its borders, with policies changing based on security concerns.

A research perspective that analyzes how borders are constantly being redefined and multiplied by different actors, not just states.

Research that acknowledges the ongoing impact of colonialism on migration and border management practices.

The idea that research on migration should move beyond solely focusing on migrants and their experiences, instead considering broader systems and power dynamics.

The practice of using legal and social mechanisms to make migration irregular, creating a constant threat of deportation.

The trend of states using NGOs and other organizations to manage and control migration, allowing states to distance themselves from direct involvement in the process.

The ability of groups or individuals to act independently and pursue their own interests within a system of externalization.

The European Union's portrayal of itself as a champion of decolonization, while neglecting its own historical role in colonization and its ongoing impact on migration patterns.

The argument that externalization of migration control is not a new phenomenon, but a continuation of past practices like colonialism.