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SOSC 602P
Migration and Globalization
Course Abstract: This course aims to explore the interrelationship between migration and
economic development in the era of globalization. Special attention is given to the role of human
capital circulation between China/HKSAR and the outside world. Students are assessed mainly
according to their performance in assignments, class discussions, presentation and term paper.
Course Structure
1. Introduction
 Globalization debates
 Migration and Globalization
 Definition, measurement of migration and data sources
 Laws of migration: Ravenstein, gravity model, and the Newtonian legacy
 Demographic approach: mobility transition and life-course of migration
 Random utility theory and discrete-choice model
Meier, G. M, 2000, “Introduction: Ideas for Development” in Frontiers in Development
Economics: The Future in Perspective, Oxford University Press, pp1-11.
Bhagwati, Jagdish, 2004, In Defense of Globalization, Oxford University Press, pp3-29 &
pp208-218.
Held, D., Mcgrew A., Goldblatt D., and Perraton J. 1999. “Introduction” in Global
Transformations: Politics, Economics and Culture, Stanford University Press, pp 1-29.
Samuel, J., 2002. “Globalization, Migration and Development”. Canadian Studies in
Population 29, 1
Boyle P., Halfacree K., and Robinson V. 1998. “Introduction: the Spatial Impact of Migration”
Chapter 1 (pp 1-33) “Defining and Measuring Migration” Chapter 2 (pp34-56) and “Migration
and the Life-course” Chapter 5 (pp105-127) in Exploring contemporary migration, Singapore:
Longman.
*Ma, Z. and K-L. Liaw, 1997. “Explaining Hierarchical and Interprovincial Migrations of
Chinese Young Adults by Personal and Place Attributes: A Nested Logit Analysis”,
Mathematical Population Studies, 6(3), pp 217-239.
2. Structure-change Model of Migration
 The Lewis theory
 Structure change and patterns of development: planning and programming development
 Implication for globalization
Lewis W.A, 1954. “Economic Development with Unlimited Supplies of Labor”, Journal of the
Manchester School of Economics and Social Studies 20: pp 139-192
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Todaro, M.P, 2000. “Theories of Development: A Comparative Analysis” in Economic
Development (7th ed), Mass.: Addison Wesley, pp77-90
3. The International Dependence Revolution
 International power imbalance between the core and the periphery
 The neocolonial dependence and false-paradigm model
 The dualistic-development thesis
 Migration as dislocation caused by capitalist penetration
 Anti-Globalization: inequality and hierarchy of nations
Griffin K. and Gurley J., 1985. “Radical Analysis of Imperialism, the Third World, and the
Transition to Socialism: A Survey Article”, Journal of Economic Literature 23: pp 1089-1143
Todaro, M.P, 2000. “Theories of Development: A Comparative Analysis” in Economic
Development (7th ed), Mass.: Addison Wesley, pp91-94
4. Neoclassical Counterrevolution
 Assumption: markets are complete
 Market forces are efficient—minimize government intervention
 Migration
o Macro model: wage differentials
o Micro model: cost-benefit calculation by individuals
 Globalization: market forces cross national boundaries
o Convergence
o Trade, finance, MNCs, international migration
Sjaastad, L.A., 1962 . “The Costs and Returns of Human Migration.” Journal of Political
Economy: Supplement 70: pp 80-93
Todaro, M.P, 2000. “Theories of Development: A Comparative Analysis” in Economic
Development (7th ed), Mass.: Addison Wesley, pp99-99
---“Urbanization and Rural-urban Migration: Theory and Policy” pp 291-325
Harris, J.R and Todaro, M.P, 1970. “Migration, Unemployment and Development: A TwoSector Analysis”, The American Economic Review, Vol. 60, No. 1., pp. 126-142
Rhoda, R.E. 1983. “Rural Development and Urban Migration: Can We Keep Them down on the
Farm?” International Migration Review 17: pp 34-64
Borjas, J.G, 2003, “The Labor Demand Curve is Downward Sloping: Reexaming the Impact of
Immigration on the Labor Market”, Quarterly Journal of Economics, forthcoming, @
http://ksghome.harvard.edu/~.GBorjas.Academic.Ksg/Papers/w9755.pdf
5. Modern Economic Theory and Development
New Growth Theory
R&D  Externality  Increasing returns to scale  increasing gaps
Complementarity of government and market (get institutions right)
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Former vs. informal institutions  social capital
Hoff and Stiglitz, 2000, “Modern Economic Theory and Development” in Frontiers in
Development Economcis: The Future in Perspective, Oxford University Press, pp389-459.
Meier, G. M, 2000, “The Old Generation of Development Economists and the New”, in
Frontiers in Development Economcis: The Future in Perspective, Oxford University Press,
pp13-49.
Todaro, M.P, 2000. “Theories of Development: A Comparative Analysis” in Economic
Development (7th ed), Mass.: Addison Wesley, pp91-94
6. New Economics of Labor Migration: the Impact on the Sending Regions
 Assuming markets are incomplete in LDCs
 The linkage between the host and sending countries, remittances, the flow of information,
and return migration
 Implying a positive effect of migration on globalization
Stark, O. 1991. “The Migration of Labor”. Basil Blackwell, Cambridge.
--- and Levhari, D. 1982. "On Migration and Risk in LDCs," Economic Development and
Cultural Change 31: pp 191-196
--- 1980. “On the Role of Urban-to-rural Remittances in Rural Development.” Journal of
Development Studies 16(3): pp 369-374
Taylor, J.E., J. Arango, G. Hugo, A. Kouaouci, D.S. Massey, and A. Pellegrino. 1996.
“International Migration and National Development” Population Index 62(2): pp181-212
---1996. “International Migration and Community Development”, Population Index 62(3): pp
397-418
Taylor, J.E., 2001. “Microeconomics of Globalization: Evidence from Mexico, China, El
Salvador, and the Galapagos Islands”, @
http://www.reap.ucdavis.edu/working_papers/microeconomics.pdf
Ma Zhongdong, 2001, "Urban Labor Force Experience as a Determinant of Rural Occupation
Change: Evidence from Recent Urban-rural Return Migration in China", Environment and
Planning A, 33: pp 237-255
--- 2002, “Social Capital Mobilization and Income Returns to Entrepreneurship: the Case of
Return Migration in Rural China”, Environment and Planning A: pp 1763-1784
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7. International Migration and Globalization
Massey D. S., Arango J., Hugo G. J., Kouaouci A., Pellegrino A., and Taylor J. E. 1993.
“Theories of International Migration: A Review and Appraisal,” Population and Development
Review 19: pp 431-466
Massey, D. S. and Espinosa K. E, 1997. “What’s Driving Mexico-U. S. Migration? A
Theoretical, Empirical, and Policy Analysis”, American Journal of Sociology 102 (4): pp 939999
Epstein, G.S., Hillman, A.L. and Ursprung, D.H., 1999. “the King never Emigrates”, Review of
Development Economics, 3 : pp107-121
Florida, R. “The Economic Geography of Talent”, Annals of the Association of American
Geographers, 92(4), 2000, pp743-755.
George B., 1996. “Who Leaves? the Out-migration of the Foreign Born,” Review of Economics
and Statistics 68: pp 165-76
Stark, O., Helmenstien, C. and Praskawetz, A., 1997. “A Brain Gain with a Brain Drain”,
Economic letters 55: pp 227-234
DeVoretz D. and Ma Z., 2002. “Triangular Human Capital Flows between Sending, Entrepot and
the Rest of the World Regions”, Special issue on migration and globalization, Canadian Studies
in Population 29(1): pp 53-69
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Field trip to Guangdong: to be announced
Room:
Instructor:
TA:
4503 (Wendsday 18:00~20:50)
Zhongdong Ma (Rm. 3381, ext. 7829, sojohnma@ust.hk)
Office Hour: by appointment
Nie Zhigang (sonie@ust.hk)
Course Materials Available at: http://143.89.60.2/sosc602p
Username: hkust\YOURID Password: YOURPASSWORD
Assessment:
Reading Assignments
Discussion
Presentation
Term paper
20 %
15 %
15 %
50 %