Prof. Leo Lucassen
Testimonial Prof. Leo Lucassen
“By placing migration, integration and urbanisation in a historical perspective, we consider migration as a structural feature of human communities.”
“The master's specialisation in Migration and Global Interdependence is one of the five research themes of the Department of History. We teach students to think in historical terms about migration, networks and institutions. We place developments in their historical context and compare them both in terms of time and place, using comparative history as an important tool... Why is migration regarded now, as opposed to at other times, as problematical? On the one hand, the development of the welfare state, which also manifests itself at a local level, plays a role. National governments are struggling with the dilemma that they need migrants for the employment market, but they do not want these migrants to make too much use of the social security provisions.
On the other hand, at the same time since the French Revolution increasing emphasis has been placed on equality in Western Europe. This means that we are less accepting of inequality than previously. It also implies that in statistical terms inequality is made more visible than in the past, whereby newcomers, particularly those who integrate more slowly, are categorised as problematical.
By placing migration, integration and urbanisation in a historical perspective, we consider migration as a structural feature of human communities. This master's therefore stresses continuities with past experiences, but at the same time shows important breaks with previous periods. In my view that's very important.”
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