Episode 35: Migration and Development

[...] denen Owen Barder Interviews zu spezifischen Themen der Entwicklungspolitik führt – zuletzt zum Zusammenhang zwischen Migration und Entwicklung (es gibt auch Transkripte zu den Podcasts). Wer Fragen für das nächste Interview mit Bob Geldorf [...]

That was an absolutely fascinating discussion, thank you.
For me it clearly makes the point that our thinking should be systems thinking, and in TRIZ (Theory of Inventive Problem Solving) terms we need to think about how subsystems and supersyetems all interact with systems in the middle and vice versa. But systems thinking is underpinned by a ‘moral imperative’ which is about delivering benefit while minimising harm. Unfortunately much of politics is about benefit without concern for harm as long as it is to others and without repurcussions. ;-(
Systems thinking allows us though to maximise benefit even when the moral imperative is missing.
What I most liked about Michael’s viewpoint was what I sensed was a deconstruction of the moral imperative in a very smart way, making clear the real cause effect aspects of, say, constraining migration choices, too often when an issue is punched at one level the response is only delivered at that level, and Michael went to other levels to solve the moral issue of free choice itself, well done with that.
Keep up the good work, slowly but surely, with occasional steps backwards, we may be advancing towards a more humane and just society. Thank you

[...] the latest Development Drums podcast, Owen Barder and  Michael Clemens discuss why migration is important for aid and [...]

I agree, a very interesting exploration of these complex issues. The area I was most interested to see unpacked was that of the effects of migration on countries of origin, having watched people make this choice, and seen close up some of the consequences. Although I agree that migration itself is not a harm, its consequences can be harmful in the short run to low-income countries with relatively little flexibility in their education and training systems. It was interesting that only two examples (South Africa and the Philippines) could be found of countries that had been able to respond positively to health care worker migration. At least 15 examples of the opposite come to mind. Presumably this is because the complexities of health care worker education are not given enough attention. Those choosing to migrate are not just service professionals but are also fundemental to the education system. The country losing an experienced doctor, for example, loses not just the clinical services this doctor might have offered, but the training of juniors/apprentices that is central to the profession. I’m certainly not advocating people with guns at airports, but some sort of compensation to the country of origin for the lost ability to train others to replace the migrant might be appropriate.

[...] Barder and Michael Clemens discuss some related issues having to do with development and migration in a recent interview (highly [...]

I am a student of Development Studies and I feel very happy to have listened to this discussion.It is a very interesting and intellectually stimulating discussion. Thank you! In fact, my husband and me had an hour discussion on the topic after listening to this. Thought provoking indeed!

[...] their home countries. Michael Clemens has made a passionate moral case for more immigration – here he is on Development Drums. Immigrants to the US see a huge spike in earnings, much of which they send back home to help their [...]

I agree in parts with Michael, Yes people migrate to western countries inn search of a better life and to increase their chances of survival.
Furthermore,in the long-run migration on the long and short term can affect the countries which people migrate to, it creates more demand on the economy. Development and growth requires planning and if the borders remain loosely open, countries people migrate to cannot plan for growth.

Migration benefits the migrant and he can get to send money back home to his relative but long term, it doesn’t change the system of the migrant’s country therefore, its more of goodwill than it is development.

[...] quality of our labour and infrastructure remains. Michael Clemens and others have highlighted that by far the strongest determiner of one’s wages is not one’s skills, work experience, or …. That, at least, is good news for British labourers or potential labourers-  residing in the UK [...]