Globalization, Migration and Social Transformation

In the space of around ten years Ireland went from being a traditional labour exporter to a leading European economy, and thus an attractive destination for immigrants from Eastern Europe and further afield. This produced a singular social laboratory, which this book explores in all its complexity set against the backdrop of globalisation. At once a showcase of the success of globalisation, Ireland became a destination for those displaced by globalisation's effects. "Globalization, Migration and Social Transformation" takes Ireland as a paradigmatic case of social transformation, exploring the reasons for which emigration was so quickly replaced by immigration, along with the social, political, cultural and economic effects of this change. Presenting the latest research thematically arranged around the themes of identity, social transformations and EU and Irish politics and policy, this book offers a rich array of detailed empirical case studies drawn from Ireland, which shed light on the experiences of immigrant groups from around the world and the processes of social transformation. In addition, it examines the manner in which the Irish state and wider political forum relate to new migrants and vice-versa, thus advancing our comparative understanding of how the European Union is responding to the challenge of mass migration. "Globalization, Migration and Social Transformation" makes a strong contribution to the comparative literature on immigration and integration, diaspora and social transformation in the era of globalisation, and as such, it will appeal to social scientists with interests in migration, race and ethnicity, globalisation and Irish studies.