ABSTRACT
Theoretical explanations of labour migration date back at least to the 1880s, when E. G. Ravenstein presented his “law of migration.” Throughout history the movements of human populations have formed an inherent part of major processes of structural change. Such movements have taken numerous forms—as a response to political or economic pressure, spontaneous or coerced, involving large units like nations or smaller selected groups like minorities of various kinds. Since the advent of capitalism, particularly since the middle of the nineteenth century, one particular form of migration has become prevalent. Some scholars claim that within the equilibrium perspective there is actually no need for a separate theory on migration, as migration is explained by the economic law of supply and demand. Even if neoclassical economists agreed with this basic assumption, considerable efforts have been made within this school to evolve analytical instruments in the field of migration.
