Re-conceptualising refugees as relative surplus populations
LE3 .A278 2001
2001
Sacouman, Jim
Acadia University
Master of Arts
Masters
Sociology
The topic of study in this thesis is the relationship between refugees and the Canadian political economy. The central argument of this thesis is that both the production of refugees around the world and their reception in Canada are best understood as core processes of contemporary global capitalism/imperialism. Borrowing from and employing a critical Marxist political economy orientation, the phenomenon of refugees as relative surplus populations within a global capitalist system is critically examined. Relevant research on migration and refugees provides a general but clear picture of recent scholarly research on international migration and refugee phenomenon. Alternative approaches and disciplines are compared and a suitable context within which this research may be placed is established. Key notions in both Malthusian and Marxist theory are developed. Theoretical conceptions are operationalized to the literature reviewed, allowing for the situating and discussion of relevant key concepts. A case application of the theoretical framework and arguments developed above is made focusing on the Canadian political economy generally, and in terms of its refugee protection system specifically. A summary review of the path taken is presented, highlighting major points, assumptions and findings made, concluding with suggestions for what actions need be taken to ameliorate the situation.
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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:2810
