Cultural geographies of migration Mobility, transnationality, and diaspora

Alison Blunt
GLOBAL TRENDS AND ISSUES

MD.Yasir Arafat
BE-039-096

The research that Alison Blunt has done on the cultural geographies of migration is an in-depth
and thought-provoking investigation of the complicated difficulties associated with mobility,
transnationality, and diaspora. In this analysis, I will look into the primary research question that
was addressed, the primary arguments that the author offered, the empirical data presented, and
the strengths and weaknesses of her assertion.

The Key Issue for Both Research and Policy Addressed: The primary focus of Blunt's
research and policy question is to learn how migration entails not only the physical movement of
people from one place to another but also a complex web of social-cultural and economic forces.
Her research sheds light on the complex linkages between mobility, transnationality, and
diaspora, as well as how the intersections of these three concepts influence the experiences of
migrants and the communities into which they are assimilated.

Principal Claims Made by the Author:

1. "The Complicated Nature of Migration:" The fundamental thrust of Blunt's argument takes
issue with overly simplified views of migration. She emphasizes that migration is not only the
practice of moving from one location to another; it is a comprehensive process that encompasses
more than just that act. It involves many different aspects of social life, cultural life, and
economic life.

2. "Transnationalism": Blunt emphasizes the significance of transnationalism in the lives of

people who have moved from one country to another. She believes that the notion that migrants
completely assimilate into the culture of their host country can be disproved by the fact that
migrants frequently keep connections and participate in activities in both their home country and
their host country.

3. The Diaspora and Its Effects on Identity: The author examines the essential role that diasporas
play in forming the identities of migrants and creating the host country's culture. Her thesis relies
heavily on the contributions that migrants make to the multiethnic fabric of the communities in
which they settle.

4. Intersectionality: Blunt's work takes into account both the intersectionality of the experiences
of migrants and the fact that characteristics such as gender, race, and social class have a
significant influence on the patterns of mobility and settlement experienced by migrants.
Empirical Evidence Are Presented:

❖ Cultural aspects of migration

Blunt cites academic Saskia Sassen's thesis that migrants help create transnational cultural
spaces.
Blunt uses anthropologist Aihwa Ong's ethnographic study to show how migrants negotiate
cultural identities.
Blunt offers World Bank data showing that overseas migrants climbed from 150 million in 1990
to 200 million in 2005.

❖ Urban planning in emerging nations

Rao and Sheth reference a UN report that predicts emerging countries' urban populations will
quadruple by 2050.
Rao and Sheth also share WHO data showing that over 1 billion people reside in developing
countries' slums.
According to Rao and Sheth, a Mumbai case study shows urban planning challenges in a fast-
urbanizing city.

❖ Political and geographic conflict

Agnew references political scientist David Laitin's study linking state boundaries to ethnic strife.
Agnew also provides World Bank statistics that show the number of countries in armed conflict
has grown during the Cold War.
Agnew uses the Balkans to demonstrate how geography helps analyze political strife.

The advantages and disadvantages of the argument:

The fact that Blunt draws on multiple fields of study, specifically geography, anthropology, and
sociology, is one of the arguments' most compelling aspects. This multidisciplinary approach
offers a holistic view of migration beyond the simple application of economic or political factors.
In addition to that, the fact that she focuses on the cultural and emotional aspects of migration
helps to expand the conversation about such a complicated subject.

On the other hand, concerns regarding her argument's ability to be generalized are among its
possible flaws. Blunt frequently bases his arguments on individual case studies, which may only
apply to some situations because migration experiences can vary substantially depending on the
place and the circumstances. In addition, just like any other piece of academic writing, her claims
are likely to be the topic of scrutiny and discussion among experts in the field.

To summarise, the research conducted by Alison Blunt offers a nuanced viewpoint on mobility,
transnationality, and diaspora, which makes her work a significant and valuable contribution to
the field of migration studies. Because of her multidisciplinary approach and emphasis on the
cultural and emotional dimensions of migration, this work is required reading for anybody
interested in the complicated and ever-present subject of migration. However, readers need to
remember the limits of her case-study-based research regarding its generalization capacity.