Using examples, analyse how economic and political factors affect global migration flows.

“The interdependence of countries has been greatly exaggerated.” Using examples, discuss this statement.

Economic push or pull factors may be discussed. Political factors might be conceptualized either as push and/or pull factors (such as persecution or conflict and liberal/tolerant governments) or alternatively as barriers to movement (eg, the EU allows migration between members while attempting to limit migration from northern Africa).

A good analysis may analyse global patterns instead of simply explaining a series of international case studies. Another approach may be to provide a structured analysis of flows being increased or decreased. Good answers might even analyse the timescale of movements, or the possibility of reversal (such as during the global financial crisis 2008–09, or in response to conflict).

Extremely well-detailed analyses of selected international movements (eg USA–Mexico) are unlikely to access band E (9-10 marks) without some broader global analysis.

For band C (4-6 marks), one weakly-evidenced economic and one weakly-evidenced political factor should be outlined, and a basic link established with migration flow(s) between some countries.

For band D (7-8 marks), expect a structured, evidenced analysis of

• either both types of factor, with more detailed national exemplification
• or how these factors affect the characteristics of migration flows at a global scale.

For band E (9-10 marks), expect both band D traits.

[10 marks]

Credit all content in line with the markbands. Credit unexpected approaches wherever relevant.

The focus should be on interdependence (the core idea underpinning the concept of globalization, ie that countries are mutually dependent on one another). The dependency could be economic or political in nature. Creditable social/cultural/environmental interpretations may also be discussed (perhaps linked with a concept of “global sustainability”). The phrasing of the question also requires that there should be some evaluation of whether exemplified countries have retained a degree of independence/autonomy in some, or all, ways. Possible themes from the geography guide include:

• economic interdependency due to outsourcing and FDI relationships [Guide 3]
• financial flows, remittances and migration (for instance, western Europe depends on the labour of eastern Europe which, in turn, relies on remittances as a proportion of GDP [Guide 3]
• multi-governmental organizations and the economic and political interdependency they foster [Guide 6]
• how diaspora populations can help foster bilateral relationships between country of origin and countries of destination [Guide 5].

Themes in agreement of ‘over-exaggeration’ include:

• the possibility of isolationism, protectionism and resource nationalism [Guide 6]
• retreat from interdependent relations as a result of nationalism and anti-globalization movements [Guide 6]
• local sourcing movements [Guide 7]
• shrinking world barriers eg ‘Great Firewall of China’ [Guide 2].

Good answers may question the context, because some countries with highly developed economies may have developed more complex financial networks and outsourcing arrangements; or may belong to more MGOs. Equally some countries are interdependent in some respects (financially) but perhaps not others (China’s relative cultural isolation). Good answers may also distinguish between dependency and connectivity, or may question whether the state of interdependency is unequal/asymmetric (one partner may be far more dependent on others than vice versa).

For band C (5-8 marks), expect weakly-evidenced outlining of two or three relevant themes from the geography guide.

For band D (9-12 marks), expect

• either a structured synthesis which links together several well-evidenced and well-focused themes from the geography guide
• or a critical conclusion (or ongoing evaluation).

For band E (13-15 marks), expect both of these traits.

[15 marks]