Importing and Exporting Migration Theory across Continents: Europe, North America, and East Asia / (2) Exporting European Migration Theory to East Asia

On the occasion of the publication of the 3rd edition of Caroline Brettell and James Hollifield's international reference work, Migration Theory: Talking Across Disciplines, and as the second half of the mini-sympoisum on Importing and Exporting Migration Theory Across Continents, we propose an innovative -- and largely unprecedented -- globally focused session at CES on the comparative impact of European ideas on migration in the East Asian context. A number of key and emerging scholars applying comparative immigration theories to East Asian cases will discuss the possible threat of intellectual "colonialism" in these scientific imports. What kind of crucial differences and asymettries are there between the continents, particularly in terms of historical notions of nationality and citizenship, specific ethnic relations and tensions, gender in non-Western contexts, the appropriateness of European models of welfare capitalism, or multiculturalism in (mythically) homogenous Asian societies? Spanning Japan, Korea, Taiwan and China, the panelists' research covers comparative labour market issues (Surak), immigration control and international norms (Okabe), migration flows and types in East Asia (Fielding), and transnational migration at high and low levels of the economy (Koido). In addition two commentators will comment on the broad comparative agenda in terms of comparative welfare regimes (Ochiai) and the international political economy of migration (Hollifield). We propose a free flowing debate/discussion format that will be animated proactively by the Chair, with panelists being asked to speak briefly to specific themes and the state-of-the art in each session before cross-questioning.