THE RISES AND FALLS OF THE MIGRATION SYSTEMS THEORY

Abstract

Researching of migrations has experienced in the 20th century a bloom; on the foundation of previous researches, several new theories emerged, which tried to explain individual segments of migrations or the entire occurrences. One such theory was responsible for the emergence of the migration systems theory, which was encouraged by a group of researchers gathered in the International Union for the Scientific Study of Population. Within the frame of debating on applicability, advantage and efficiency of the theory, a debate developed about the history of the development of migration theories, as based on new findings, possibilities of faster processing of data and stressing of globalisation, new ways were being sought. The discussion, which actually trailed from 1987, was to the benefit of migration studies because the opinion prevailed that theories in the case of migrations cannot comprise everything and everyone although they take place in a global society. Such research approach was considered as a solution to all the unsolved problems and mysteries of migrations before it was at all clear what the methods were, which data to use, where the borders were, and what at all the results reveal.
The theory, which was in the beginning by the opinions of researchers much promising, soon experienced a run of critiques. However, this is a component part of the process of developing migration theories, on which basis new findings and approaches emerge. Originating from it are new trends in researching international migrations. These speak mainly of social capital, nets and connectedness between migrants.