The Politics of Forced Migration

Abstract

This panel seeks to focus on the role of forced migration, refugee and asylum politics. The current crisis in the Mediterranean highlights a long-standing need to redefine the system of asylum-seeking globally, and to better understand the implications of refugee movements on the refugees themselves, and on host-states, home-states, third locations, and the international system. States often securitise refugee experiences through overt or covert social mechanisms, or reduce the discussion to issues of social welfare. The panel will potentially foster a nuanced study of multiple processes that affect state and non-state actors alike, and follow how refugee movements can create challenges to human and minority rights, statehood, and foster diffusion of ideas across borders.