In the space of around ten years Ireland went from being a traditional labour exporter to a leading European economy, and thus an attractive destination for immigrants from Eastern Europe and further afield. This produced a singular social laboratory, which this book explores in all its complexity set against the backdrop of globalization. Until recently seen as a showcase for the success of globalization, Ireland also became a destination for those displaced by the effects of globalization elsewhere. Globalization, Migration and Social Transformation takes Ireland as a paradigmatic case of social transformation, exploring the reasons why emigration was so rapidly replaced by immigration, along with the social, political, cultural and economic effects of this shift. Presenting the latest research around the themes of identity, social transformations and EU and Irish politics and policy, this book offers a rich array of detailed empirical case studies drawn from Ireland, which shed light on the experiences of immigrant groups from around the world and the wider processes of social transformation. In addition, it examines the manner in which the Irish state and the broader political system relate to new migrants and vice-versa, thus advancing our comparative understanding of how the European Union is responding to the challenge of mass migration. Globalization, Migration and Social Transformation makes a strong contribution to the comparative literature on immigration and integration, diaspora and social transformation in the era of globalization, and as such, it will appeal to social scientists with interests in migration, race and ethnicity, globalization and Irish studies.
