Using examples, analyse ways in which international economic migration has been affected by political decision making.

“The economic gains associated with global development outweigh any cultural losses.” Discuss this statement.

Marks should be allocated according to the paper 3 part A markbands. These can be found under the “Your tests” tab > supplemental materials. 

Political decision making encompasses the actions and laws of national governments (both host and source regions), along with other international frameworks for the regulation of economic migration, such as EU or Mercosur free migration and employment rules. International migration flows include those between close neighbours (such as the US and Mexico) but also much longer distance movements. The effects are likely to be explored mainly in terms of the size of flows but there are other possible dimensions (gender, age, skills, etc).

Do not credit analysis of remittance flows as this is not asked for.

Possible effects on migration attributable to governance at varying scales include:

• individual host country rules and laws for economic migration
• MGO (e.g. EU) migration rules and decision of national governments to participate in multi-scale governance
• possible role of source country government actions, decisions and conditions
• the consequent size and other characteristics (e.g. gender, skills) of international/global migration flows
• global governance of migration (UN frameworks – global compact for migration).
  

Good answers may apply (AO2) a wider range of knowledge and understanding (AO1) in a well-structured way (AO4). One approach might be to provide a structured systematic analysis which clearly separates decision making about voluntary and forced migrants. Another approach might be to analyse political decision making at a range of scales (national government, MGOs, UN).

For 4–6 marks, expect some outlining of one or two links between government policies and international migration flows. Response is either partial, narrow or lacks supporting evidence.

For 7–9 marks, expect a structured, evidenced analysis of:

• either two or more ways in which international migration has been affected by host country government decision making
• or political decision making in contrasting places (e.g. host and source country) or at varying scales (state governments and MGOs).

For 10–12 marks, expect both of these traits.

Credit all content in line with the markbands. Marks should be allocated according to the paper 3 part B markbands. These can be found under the “Your tests” tab > supplemental materials. Credit unexpected approaches wherever relevant.

Global development may be seen as a holistic set of economic and societal changes. Development processes operating at national scales collectively comprise “global” human development, helped in part by transnational initiatives like the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 
Economic gains may be measured collectively (global and national GDP per capita data) though these maybe unevenly spread between and within countries.
Cultural losses may include harm to indigenous culture. Perspectives differ on this and not all losses may be seen as such by all people. 

Economic losses and environmental changes should not be over-credited because the material is likely to be of marginal relevance to the task set.

Possible applied themes (AO2) include knowledge and understanding (AO1) of:

• global economic growth, new superpowers and lending institutions (4.1)
• the growth of global trade and connectivity (4.2)
• links between human development and social changes (gender equality) (5.1)
• microfinance and economic growth (5.1)
• cultural diffusion between places (5.2)
• changing cultures and cultural landscapes (5.2)
• concerns with migration and cultural change (5.3)
• anti-globalization / tribalization movements that value national self-determination ahead of economic connectivity (6.1)

Good answers may synthesize (AO3a) three or more of these themes in a well-structured (AO4) way.

Good answers may additionally offer a critical evaluation (AO3b) of the statement that discusses the extent to which economic gains exceed non-economic losses in different places. Another approach might be to discuss the distribution of who gains most (and has lost most) at transnational, national or more local scales (e.g., powerful global elites may make disproportionately large economic gains while losing relatively little culturally). Another approach might be to critically discuss varying perspectives on what constitutes a cultural loss.

For 5–8 marks, expect some outlining of two relevant themes. Response is either partial, narrow or lacks supporting evidence.

For 9–12 marks, expect:

• either a structured synthesis which links together several well-evidenced themes from the Guide
• or a critical conclusion (or on-going evaluation) informed by geographical concepts and/or perspectives.

For 13–16 marks, expect both of these traits.

The best answers carefully adopted an analytical framework which looked at the question from a variety of perspectives. For example, in their introductions they identified that decisions are made by source and host country governments alike, and policies can be designed which either increase or stem the flow of migration. Additionally, decision making can be unilateral or multilateral depending on whether a national government has signed up to an intergovernmental agreement which allows for the free movement of people, as is the case for the European Union.

Candidates scoring 7-9 marks typically described two contexts in considerable detail. Popular case studies included the post-Brexit European Union and the US–Mexico border. It was pleasing to see widespread use of these contemporary case studies. Other widely-applied case study contexts included Singapore, UAE and Australia.

Candidates sometimes misspent their time by writing at length about global flows other than migration (notably remittances and international capital flows linked with TNCs). There were several accounts of Chinese polices aimed at encouraging inward investment which failed to make any meaningful link with international movements of people. Limited credit could still be awarded provided a satisfactory focus on political decision making had been sustained.

This was the least popular question on the examination paper, and many of the candidates who attempted it lacked a clear conceptual overview of what the phrase 'global development' means. Some candidates produced an essay comprising of two main case studies — for example, the colonization of Australia and China's treatment of Tibet. In both cases, the candidates correctly described some cultural losses and injustices. However, two historical case studies alone cannot provide a contemporary overview of global development in line with the aims of the question.

In contrast, the best answers adopted a broader global overview and were able to synthesize a range of themes including: the growth of the BRICs; the new global middle class; global trade and investment flows and patterns. They were also able to discuss the concept of cultural loss at a global scale, for example by documenting aggregate losses in the number of languages spoken around the world. The best answers also avoided spending too much time describing the contents of McDonald's menus and K-pop playlists.