Structure and Agency in Migration Studies - Lecture 13

Explore the complex relationship between structural forces and individual agency in migration studies through this 23-minute lecture that examines how both dimensions shape human mobility patterns. Analyze the theoretical framework proposed by Massey et al. (1998) and delve into Bakewell's concept of relational agency to understand how migrants navigate constraints and opportunities. Examine Giddens' structuration theory and its application to migration research, focusing on how structures both enable and constrain social transformation. Investigate Morawska's positive interpretations of structuration theory and De Haas's analysis of structural constraints on migration decisions. Learn about the importance of adopting pluralist paradigms in migration research to develop empirically valid theoretical frameworks that account for both macro-level structures and micro-level agency in understanding contemporary migration phenomena.