SEMI-FINAL

Global Migration

The lesson discusses global migration and its effects on both the countries people leave and the countries they
move to. Although there are many challenges related to migration, it should not be viewed as a problem. There
is no moral or immoral aspect to moving from one country to another. People have always been migratory—it is
a natural human movement.

Because of this movement, places have been inhabited, communities have experienced diversity, and economies
have flourished. Therefore, instead of viewing migration as “good” or “bad,” it should be understood as a
complex social phenomenon that is older than modern globalization itself.

What is Migration?

Migration is the movement of people from one place to another. This can happen within a single country or
across the borders of different countries.

Two Types of Migration:

a. Internal Migration — This refers to the movement of people from one area to another within the same
country. For example, moving from a rural province to a city.

b. International Migration — This occurs when a person crosses national borders to live in another country.

Five Groups of Migrants:

1. Immigrants — People who move permanently to another country to live there.

2. Temporary Workers — Individuals who relocate to another country for a specific period (e.g., six
months or more each year) to work.
3. Illegal Migrants — People who enter or stay in another country without legal documents or permission.
4. Family-Sponsored Migrants — Individuals who are petitioned by family members already living in
the destination country so they can move and live there.
5. Refugees or Asylum Seekers — People who cannot return to their home country due to fear of
persecution based on their race, religion, nationality, social group, or political beliefs.

Global Migration Statistics

According to demographers, around 247 million people currently live outside the country where they were
born. Among this number:

 90% of migrants moved for economic reasons—seeking jobs, better income, or business opportunities.
 10% are refugees and asylum seekers, who cannot return to their home countries due to fear of
persecution based on race, religion, nationality, social group, or political beliefs.

Regions with the Most Migrants:

1. Latin America – 18% of the global total

2. Eastern Europe and Central Asia – 16%
3. Middle East and North Africa – 14%

Countries with the Largest Number of Migrants:

 India, Mexico, and China lead globally.

 The Philippines, along with Afghanistan, ranks sixth in the world in terms of migrant population.

Top Destination Countries for Migrants:

 Most migrants head to Western countries and the Middle East.

 The United States is the leading destination country for migrants worldwide.
Impact of Migration on Host Countries

 Half (50%) of the world’s migrants come from low-income countries and move to more developed
nations.
 They make up 40% to 80% of the labor force in their host countries.
 The growth rate of the migrant population is faster than that of the general population in developed
countries:
o Migrants: 3%
o Host country population: 0.6%

Most Migrants Live in Urban Areas:

 92% in the United States

 95% in the United Kingdom
 99% in Australia

By settling in cities, migrants make significant contributions to the development and productivity of their host
countries.

Table 1: Migrant Contribution to GDP by Country (2015)

Country Contribution (USD) % of GDP

United States $2 trillion 11%
Germany $550 billion 17%
United Kingdom $390 billion 14%
Australia $330 billion 25%
Canada $320 billion 21%

The data shows that migrants are not merely people who relocate—they are active contributors to the economic
growth of their host countries. Their presence in urban centers brings diversity, labor strength, and progress.

Migration Debates in Host Countries

The large number of migrants arriving in various countries has sparked debates in host nations. The central
question: Are migrants an asset or a liability to national development?

Views of Anti-Immigrant and Nationalist Groups:

 They believe governments should tighten legal migration policies and prevent illegal entry of foreigners.
 Many anti-migration groups have gained support through political leaders who share similar views.

Example from the United States:

 In recent developments, former U.S. President Donald Trump attempted to restrict travel from
countries with predominantly Muslim populations—even for those with complete documentation.
 He also repeatedly spoke about his campaign promise to build a wall between the United States and
Mexico to stop illegal migration.

This issue reveals the complex dynamics of migration—not just economic, but also political and social.
Discussions around migrants involve concerns about security, identity, and nationalism. Migration should be
understood as a global reality that requires a balanced and informed perspective.

Benefits and Challenges for Migrant-Sending Countries

Although 90% of the income generated by migrants remains in the country where they currently reside, they
still send billions of dollars back to their home countries. This is known as remittance.

 Globally, total remittances have reached $580 billion.

 India receives the largest amount at $70 billion, followed by China, the Philippines, and Mexico.

Benefits of Remittances:

 They help grow small and medium-sized enterprises, which provide jobs in local communities.
 They improve the economic and social conditions of migrants and their families:
o Seen in newly built or renovated homes
o Access to new consumer goods
 o Increased purchasing power for families
o Continued education for children—starting or staying in school

While migration presents challenges, remittances offer significant support to the countries migrants come from.
They strengthen local economies, improve quality of life, and open up educational opportunities.

The Problem of Human Trafficking

Beyond the issue of brain drain—the loss of skilled workers—migrant-sending countries must also protect their
citizens working abroad from exploitation and abuse.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the United States, human trafficking is the third
largest criminal industry in the world.

Human Trafficking Data (ILO, 2012):

 21 million victims of forced labor—men, women, and children

 Equivalent to 3 out of every 1,000 people globally
 90% of victims are exploited by private businesses and individuals
 22% (4.5 million) are sexually exploited
 68% (14.2 million) are forced to work in:
o Agriculture
o Factories
o Construction
o Domestic work

Profits from Human Trafficking (2014)

 Syndicates, smugglers, and corrupt government officials earn $150 billion annually
 Despite efforts from governments, the private sector, and civil society, success in combating
trafficking remains uneven

Human trafficking is a horrifying crime that violates the human rights and dignity of migrants. To dismantle
abusive systems and protect victims, we need education, collaboration, and strong policies.

Integration of Migrants in Their New Country The final issue in migration discusses how migrants interact
and adapt to life in their host country. Despite their significant contributions to the host country’s GDP,
many migrants still face barriers to accessing housing, health care, and education.

Variations in Integration Success:

 Migrants from China, India, and Western Europe often find it easier to integrate economically.
 Migrants from the Middle East, North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa face more challenges in
securing jobs and accessing opportunities.

Filipino Experiences Abroad:

 In countries like the United States and Singapore, Filipinos are visible in both:
o Blue-collar jobs (factory, construction, service work)
o White-collar professions (doctors, engineers, corporate executives)
 White-collar Filipino workers tend to integrate more easily due to their skills, education, and
professional background.

Integration depends on many factors—education, ethnicity, religion, and economic status. Therefore, host
countries must create fair and inclusive policies to help all migrants live with dignity and access opportunities.

.Integration of Migrants in Democratic Nations In democratic countries, migrants and their children are often
granted citizenship and the rights that come with it—especially access to public education. However,
without strong support from local citizens, this change in legal status may remain a formality, not genuine
integration.

Barriers to Integration:

 Language difficulties
 Cultural differences from the country of origin
  Religious diversity These cultural and linguistic gaps can create tensions between migrants and locals,
especially in Western societies.

Accusations and Perceptions:

 Some locals accuse migrants of bringing their own culture, which they believe worsens language and
ethnic divides.
 Lack of integration fuels xenophobic and anti-migrant groups, who argue that new citizens aren’t
truly “national” because they don’t share the dominant culture.

Role of Migrant and Local Networks:

 New migrants often experience fear and confusion in unfamiliar environments.

 Their local networks—fellow migrants from the same country—offer support and safety nets to help
them adjust.
o Example: The Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association in California helps new Chinese
migrants find jobs and start small businesses like restaurants and laundromats.
o Drawback: These networks can unintentionally reinforce cultural separation and increase
discrimination.

Efforts by Governments and Private Sectors:

 Multilingual state documents (e.g., Spanish and English in the U.S.)

 Training and counseling programs in Hamburg, Germany
 Inclusion of migrant shopkeepers in Barcelona to break language barriers and introduce Chinese
culture to the local community

Integration is a complex process requiring mutual effort—from both migrants and host societies. While
culture, language, and religion can be barriers, inclusive policies, education, and community engagement
can lead to lasting unity.

Conclusion: Global Migration Global migration is a human dimension of globalization—and like the broader
process, its effects are unequal and complex.

Uneven Experiences:

 Some migrants experience mobility as empowerment, especially those who are educated and
professional, finding better income opportunities abroad.
 Others, particularly victims of human trafficking, endure pain, confusion, and loss of agency.

Contradictory Reactions:

Migration, like globalization, sparks diverse and conflicting responses:

 Many wealthy nations recognize that migrant labor benefits their economies:
o Japan and Germany, with aging populations, rely on workers from younger countries like the
Philippines.
o In the United States, as locals shift to more skilled jobs, migrants fill roles that have been
abandoned by domestic workers.

Restrictions Despite Benefits:

 Some countries continue to limit and control migration:

o To preserve local culture
o To protect against perceived threats from newcomers
 Migrants are often blamed for economic problems, even when the real causes lie in government
policy, not foreign labor.

Migration is a multidimensional phenomenon—it offers opportunities, but also triggers tensions. A

sustainable solution requires:

 Fair policies
 Inclusive education
 Collaboration between sending and receiving countries
GLOBALIZATION AND RELIGION
Religion is perhaps the most difficult subject to study from an objective point of view. Some
people are deeply committed to their own religious beliefs and are not interested in examining
alternative view that they believe are "weird" threatening, or utterly ridiculous. Others do not
believe in supernatural beings and are skeptical of sociology's concern with matters that appear
to be beyond the realms of science.
Defining religion
System of socially shared symbols, beliefs, and rituals that is directed toward a sacred,
supernatural realm and addresses the ultimate meaning of existence.
VARIETIES OF RELIGION
1. Animatism
Animatism is a system of beliefs in which supernatural forces rather than beings (gods and
spirits) are the dominant power in the universe.
2. Animism
Animism is the belief that spirit beings inhabit the same world as humans, but on another plane
of existence.
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is someone who has heard the good news of salvation through Christ, who believes that Jesus is
the Son of God, who repents of his sins, who confesses his faith in Christ, and who has been
baptized into the body of Christ.
4. Buddhism
a religion of eastern and central Asia growing out of the teaching of Siddhartha Gautama that
suffering is inherent in life and that one can be liberated from it by cultivating wisdom, virtue,
and concentration.
5. Hinduism
Hinduism can be defined as a collection of the religion, culture, and philosophy of ancient India.
It is characterized by a belief in reincarnation as well as in a supreme god or entity called
Brahman who has multiple manifestations as a variety of deities.
6. Islam
Islam means "submission to the will of God"; adherents of Islam are called Muslims. The
fundamental belief of Islam is "There is only one God, and Muhammad is his prophet."
7. Protestantism
Protestantism emphasizes the Christian believer's justification by God in faith alone (sola fide)
rather than by a combination of faith with good works as in Catholicism; the teaching that
salvation comes by divine grace or "unmerited favor" only (sola gratia); the priesthood of all
believers in the Church;
8. Sect
the term sect is defined as a religious group that is a relatively small subset of a similar larger
social structure. The sect is classified as such due to the deviant belief system that is in tension
with the belief system of the larger group. This belief tension results in the sect breaking away
from the larger group, creating a schism.

Religious Classification What/Who is Divine Example

1. Polytheism Multiple Gods Hinduism, Ancient Greeks and Roman

2. Monotheism Single Gods Judaism, Islam, Christianity
3. Atheism No Deities Atheism, Buddhism, and Taoism
4. Animism Non-human Beings
(animal, plant, natural world) Indigenous Nature Worship, Shintoism
Social organizations of religion
The idea of religious visionaries can capture the public imagination and inspire change, even
social revolution. But in the long run, the relative influence of any religion depends on religious
communities that are organized to promote religious ideals and objectives. Sociologist classify
religious organizations into four ideal types ecclesia, denomination, sect, and cult.
1. Ecclesia
The ecclesia is a large formally organized religious body that includes most members of society
and is supported by and closely allied with secular and state powers.
2. Denomination or Church
The denomination is one of a number of established, socially accepted religious organizations
that maintain tolerant relations with other denominations in the context of religious pluralism.
3. Sect
A sect is a small, less formally organized group that usually has separated from a denomination
and is a negative tension with larger societies.
4. Cult
a system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object.
5. "the cult of St. Olaf"
a relatively small group of people having religious beliefs or practices regarded by others as
strange or sinister
Religion has entered the "information age" and has globalized at accelerating rates, in the
methods religions use for teaching and in belief systems.
Tools of uniting people all over the world on religious basis:
➤ Books
➤ Movies
➤ Cell phone apps
➤ Social networks
➤ Charity funds
➤ Special internet sites
➤ Religious schools
Religion epitomizes the definition of globalization due to the fact that it can be spread more
efficiently than ever before through the use of different technological tools.
Thru the use of magazines, the media, Facebooks, twitter, YouTube, commercial, podcasts, cell
phone apps, and much more.
It is now possible for any religion to spread beyond national borders, allowing even small new
religious movement to engage in overseas activities and leading to new unseen religious
developments. Small religious movements are also spreading thanks to the celebrities following
and advertising them
Conclusion:
➤ Globalization has a great impact on religion. As people and cultures move across the globe, as
ideas are mobilized and transported by media technology, the religious globalization will go on
and on.
➤ It has its pro and cons. People should cope with the flow of info and choose their won and
peaceful way.
➤ And to our mind, finally, the globalization will end in complete domination of one of them over
the rest.