Borders and Barriers: Navigating the Postcolonial Era of Migration in a Globalized World

This chapter introduces the historical and contemporary context of migration, emphasizing its role in shaping societies globally. It discusses how globalization has influenced migration patterns, with international cooperation facilitating talent recruitment but also leading to labor division and discrimination against minority groups. The chapter highlights how nations struggle to maintain cultural homogeneity amid increased migration, exemplified by policy shifts like Brexit and restrictive measures from leaders like Trump and Netanyahu. The European Union’s (EU) efforts to manage migration through new policies and agreements, such as the 2023 pact with Tunisia, are also examined. The chapter explores the dichotomy in perceptions of immigrants as either economic resources or problems, linking these views to internal colonialism theory and postcolonial perspectives. It addresses the rise of anti-immigration sentiment fueled by fears of job loss, cultural change, and security concerns, and how populist and far-right parties leverage these fears to gain support. The author, a Swedish scholar with a European background, acknowledges the subjective nature of their perspective. The book aims to provide a nuanced view of colonialism’s legacy in contemporary migration discourse, focusing on Europe but also considering global implications. It critically analyzes national culture and integration policies, drawing on historical literature and theories to challenge dominant perceptions and advocate for a more inclusive understanding of cultural dynamics and migration.

This chapter provides a historical overview of European colonialism, detailing how nations like Portugal, Spain, and the Netherlands began their colonial endeavors in the 15th and 16th centuries, driven by exploration and trade motivations. These nations established vast empires through maritime exploration, setting up trading posts and colonies in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The chapter outlines these early powers’ distinct colonial practices and legacies, highlighting Portugal’s focus on Brazil, Spain’s exploitation in the Americas, and the Netherlands’ trading empire. The chapter also examines the later colonial efforts of France and Britain, which became prominent in the 17th and 18th centuries. These countries utilized different methods, including the encomienda system and casta hierarchy in Spanish colonies, and the civilizing mission and divide-and-rule tactics in British colonies. The chapter discusses how these practices were justified through ideologies of racial superiority and the civilizing mission, deeply embedding racism and social hierarchies into colonial rule. Additionally, the chapter addresses the colonial ventures of Denmark, Sweden, Italy, Belgium, and Germany. It covers Denmark’s settlements in the Caribbean and Greenland, Sweden’s short-lived colonies and involvement in the slave trade, Italy’s brutal regime in Africa, Belgium’s horrific exploitation of the Congo under King Leopold II, and Germany’s late but impactful colonial period marked by the Herero and Nama genocide.

This chapter delves into the complex perception of national culture within cross-cultural management. It critiques the essentialist views that regard national culture as static and homogeneous, emphasizing instead the dynamic interplay of historical, social, and political forces that shape national identity. The chapter traces the origins of essentialist perspectives, highlighting influential thinkers like Durkheim, Jung, Schmitt, and Parsons, who contributed to these views during the colonial era. It critiques their theories for perpetuating a static and exclusionary understanding of culture and identity. The text discusses how cross-cultural management emerged as an academic field, initially embracing essentialist views for their simplicity in explaining cultural differences. Influential models like Hofstede’s cultural dimensions reinforced these views by categorizing national cultures into binary scales, often favoring Western countries. The chapter highlights the extensive critique of Hofstede’s model for its ethnocentric biases and lack of empirical rigor. The chapter advocates for incorporating postcolonial perspectives in management practices, emphasizing the need to understand culture as dynamic and constructed through power relations. It explores postcolonial theories by scholars like Said, Bhabha, Spivak, and Mignolo, who challenge colonial legacies and advocate for decolonizing knowledge and management practices. These theories highlight issues of otherness, mimicry, and cultural hybridity, offering deeper insights into the experiences of marginalized communities. The text also examines internal colonialism within contemporary societies, drawing parallels between traditional colonial practices and the exploitation of immigrant communities in Western countries. It underscores the need for a critical reimagining of management and organizational practices to promote social change and address power imbalances.

This chapter critically examines contemporary strategies used by nations to manage migration and protect borders, drawing parallels with historical colonial practices. Countries use a variety of methods to assert control over their territories and safeguard their borders, including physical barriers, stringent immigration policies, legal frameworks, and media campaigns. These strategies often mirror colonial tactics, expecting immigrants to conform to the host country’s culture at the expense of their own identities. The chapter discusses the significance of symbolic capital in the immigrant experience, emphasizing how the lack of recognition and respect can hinder successful integration. It critiques the paradox of migration policies where countries seek to exclude undesirable migrants while attracting those needed for labor, likening this to colonial exploitation where labor was valued over individuals. Various theoretical frameworks, including cultural hybridity and the influence of colonial legacies, are used to highlight the ongoing impact of colonialism on modern migration practices. The chapter argues for a reevaluation of integration policies to promote inclusivity and respect for cultural diversity. It calls for a shift from viewing national culture as static and homogeneous to recognizing it as dynamic and constructed through historical, social, and political forces. The text also critiques the positivist tradition for framing migration discourse primarily in terms of economic utility, marginalizing non-Western perspectives. It emphasizes the need for decolonizing knowledge systems and management practices to foster a more inclusive understanding of national identity and integration.

This chapter explores the dynamics of migration and national identity in the context of globalization. It highlights how economic globalization has increased the movement of people across borders, driven by political turmoil, economic struggles, and climate change. These factors push individuals to seek safety and stability, emphasizing their cultural identity in response to migration pressures. This has led to a heightened focus on cultural homogeneity, as societies attempt to maintain cultural hegemony by emphasizing differences such as race, ethnicity, and religion. This focus can foster fear and distrust, reinforcing social divisions and nationalist sentiments, which complicate the integration of migrants and perpetuate stereotypes. Globalization, however, has also facilitated labor mobility, allowing companies to recruit workers worldwide. This is especially important for Western countries facing labor shortages due to aging populations and declining birth rates. The chapter discusses the paradox of migration policies that exclude undesired migrants while attracting economically beneficial ones, comparing this to colonial exploitation. These policies often dehumanize immigrants by reducing their identities to economic variables, perpetuating inequalities and marginalization. It critiques the positivist tradition for shaping simplistic models of national culture. It emphasizes the need for an inclusive social contract that embraces societal change and mutual adaptation between immigrants and local inhabitants. It further suggests educational systems that incorporate civic values and democratic principles to promote an inclusive national identity. To develop equitable migration policies, the chapter advocates for decolonizing knowledge systems and management practices.