ABSTRACT
This chapter offers a brief historic overview of migration before describing recent global patterns to show the ways in which politics and economics are strong influences of migration. Historical, political and economic influences are evident in migration. State action is a powerful factor in migratory patterns. The close relationship between politics and the economy and their influence on immigration and migrants' rights is illustrated in the recent past with a hardening of attitudes towards migrants' entitlements to welfare and social care. Devolved states often have more responsibility to make rules and policies that influence migration compared to regions subject to direct rule. Devolution is a feature of many modern economies, and this means that responsibilities are shifted and different scales of government emerge, such as regional governments assuming responsibility for implementing national or federal legislation. Many people move in search of work, with most migrants moving from medium- to high-income destinations.
