ABSTRACT
Irregular migration is one of the most momentous phenomena of the 21st century. A complex and inherently dangerous process for migrants themselves, it also bears considerable implications for states, their local populations, and international organisations. However, due to disciplinary boundaries and social sciences’ increasing specialisation, the viewpoints of the different actors that are involved in the irregular migration phenomenon are seldom – if at all – analysed together. Against this backdrop, and building on multiple disciplinary literatures, this chapter introduces the book’s goal of providing a holistic understanding of irregular migration, with a view to rectify this shortcoming. First, it recounts the significance of undocumented migration in contemporary global affairs. Second, it justifies the concurrent focus on migrants, states, and their local populations, thus merging disciplinary insights from international relations, migration studies, and auxiliary social sciences. Third, it highlights the growing import of specific foreign policy measures aimed at curbing unauthorised flows, which are particularly relevant to this volume. Fourth, it introduces Italy and Australia as two highly relevant case studies that have rarely been the object of comparative analyses. Lastly, it outlines the book’s methodology and structure, along with a brief summary of its main findings.
