Lee’s Theory of Migration

Migration can be broadly divided based on two analytical models: the macro and the micro analytical models. Some of the prominent models involved in macroanalysis include the Ravenstein model (Gravity Model), the Zipf model (Model of Least Effort), and the Stouffer model (the Intervening Opportunity Model). The major microanalytical model is Lee’s model.

Definitions by Various Organizations

The Multilingual Demographic Dictionary, in collaboration with the International Union for the Scientific Study of Population (IUSSP), describes migration as a form of spatial mobility, involving change in the usual place of residence, which implies a movement beyond an administrative boundary.

The United Nations Multilingual Demographic Dictionary (United Nations, 1956) defines "migration" as a form of geographical mobility or spatial mobility between one geographical unit and another.

The definition of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, on the other hand, states that migration occurs when a person changes the location of their usual place of residence.

As per the International Organization for Migration (IOM), ‘migration’ is the movement of a person or group of persons, whether between or within a country, between two places in its territory.

The Kampala Convention, also known as ‘Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDPs), 2009, defines migration as "persons or groups of persons who have been forced or obliged to flee or to leave their homes or places of habitual residence, in particular as a result of or in order to avoid the effects of armed conflict, situations of generalised violence, violations of human rights, or natural or human-made disasters, and who have not crossed an internationally recognised state border".

Lee’s Theory of Migration

Everett Spurgeon Lee, Professor of Sociology at the University of Georgia, is known for his pioneering theory of migration, which is known as the Push and Pull Theory, or also as Lee’ Theory. Lee first presented his seminal work, "A Theory of Migration", in 1966. He used the principles of sociology to formalise the theory. Everett Lee has conceptualized the factors associated with the decision to migrate and the process of migration into the following four categories.

• Factors associated with the area of origin

• Factors associated with the area of destination

• Intervening obstacles

• Personal factors

The motivation for migration by examining the relationship between origin and destination are affected by Push and Pull factors. Push factors exist at the point of origin and act to motivate out-migration (a lack of economic opportunities, education, etc.). On the other hand, pull factors are present at the destination, that attract migrants (work opportunities and availability of jobs, conducive educational facilities, religious or political freedom). According to Lee, migration occurs if the reason for emigrating (the push) has a solution in the pull of the destination.

Migration flow between two places—origin and destination—also depends on the intervening obstacles. These are the distance between the two places, the lack of transport facilities, the inaccessibility because of the topography (rugged mountains and physical barriers), and restrictive immigration laws. The number of migrants is directly proportional to the extent of opportunities (the pull factors) available at the destination and inversely proportional to the intervening obstacles.

According to Lee, the volume of migration from one location to another is related not only to the distance between locations and the number of people in each location, but also to the number of opportunities or obstacles between each location. There are multiple factors that act to keep people within an area or attract people there. There are also others who tend to repel them. These are shown as (+) and (-) signs. There are others, shown as 0s, to which people are essentially indifferent.

Within this conceptual framework, Lee attempted to formulate several hypotheses for the four types of factors associated with migration, incorporating the push and pull factors at both places of origin and destination.

Criticism

The following are the two main reasons why Lee’s theory offers little practical guidance for policy and decision-making in developing nations.

• Many scholars claim that it is difficult to determine which plus factors and which minus factors at both origin and destination are quantitatively the most important to different groups and classes of people.

• The presence of intervening obstacles does not assist demographers in determining which factors have a significant influence and which are minor factors.

Conclusion

Lee’s push-pull theory has been acknowledged as a pathbreaking model that explains migration at various periods and has stood the test of time. He opined that the decision to migrate is never completely rational, and hence, it follows that it is always possible to come across exceptions to any type of generalisation about migration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Lee’s theory of migration explain?

The reasons that people migrate are determined by push and pull factors, which are forces that either induce people to move to a new location or oblige them to leave their old residences. These could be economic, political, cultural, and environmental.

What is the push and pull factors in migration?

Push factors exist at the point of origin and act to motivate out-migration (a lack of economic opportunities, education, etc.). On the other hand, pull factors are present at the destination that attract migrants (work opportunities and availability of jobs, conducive educational facilities, religious or political freedom).

How do intervening obstacles determine migration?

Migration flow between two places—origin and destination—also depends on the intervening obstacles. These are the distance between the two places, the lack of transport facilities, the inaccessibility because of the topography (rugged mountains and physical barriers), and restrictive immigration laws. The number of migrants is directly proportional to the extent of opportunities (the pull factors) available at the destination and inversely proportional to the intervening obstacles.