Abstract This paper addresses the question of what it means to say that the Canadian population is reproduced from the perspective of laborforce reproduction. It discusses the effects of the intersection of fertility and immigration over laborforce reproduction. It then discusses how this reproduction has shaped the economic structures of society in the interest of big business.
From the Paper "Thus, the labor force of Canada was not biologically reproducing itself on a generational basis by the last decades of the twentieth century. In order to meet this shortfall, the Government of Canada resorted to immigration to supply a labor force to meet the demands of the Canadian economy. These demands are complex, for the Labor Force Reproduction model indicates that the economy needs a labor supply not only in terms of production but also to consume the goods produced. As a result, in the years in which the Canadian fertility rates were declining (after 1956) the Canadian immigration levels were increasing. From 1954 to 1992 Canada accepted 5.7 million immigrants. These immigrants fulfilled a wide number of economic roles in Canadian society, from contributing as business class immigrants and supplying entrepreneurial investment funds, to those who work in the commercial and corporate sectors. In addition, we must not forget the significant numbers of immigrants who worked as unpaid labor - often women - and so subsidized the paid labor force in Canada."
Abstract This essay critically examines the issue of immigration and Canadian nation-building within a sociological perspective. A particular focus of the paper is on the contradiction between the ideal of immigration, as reflected in the changes to immigration policy in the 1960s and the introduction of official multiculturalism in the 1970s, and the realities of immigration in regard to its being embedded in the social class and power distribution structures of Canada. In this context, the paper argues that in our capitalist society immigration policy has primarily served the interests of capital in the form of laborforce reproduction. This being said, it is then argued that the existence of a multicultural and multiracial society represents a clear challenge to the existing power distribution in Canadian society; a challenge that has been met by policies such as official multiculturalism which are instruments by which the capitalist state seeks to control and channel dissent and thereby ensure the perpetuation of the Canadian status quo.
From the Paper "Thus, the labour force of Canada was not biologically reproducing itself on a generational basis by the later decades of the twentieth century. In order to meet this shortfall, the Government of Canada resorted to immigration to supply a labour force to meet the demands of the Canadian economy. These demands are complex, for the Labour Force Reproduction model indicates that the economy needs a labour supply not only in terms of production but also to consume the goods produced. As a result, in the years in which the Canadian fertility rates were declining (after 1956) the Canadian immigration levels were increasing. From 1954 to 1992 Canada accepted 5.7 million immigrants. These immigrants fulfilled a wide number of economic roles in Canadian society, from contributing as business class immigrants and supplying entrepreneurial investment funds, to those who work in the commercial and corporate sectors. In addition, we must not forget the significant numbers of immigrants who worked as unpaid labour - often women - and so subsidized the paid labour force in Canada."
Abstract This paper analyzes the factors that determine the historical trends in laborforce participation rates in Canada. It describes the changes in rates based on gender, race and age. The paper then focuses on women's increasing participation rates and men's dropping participation rates over time. The paper contains graphs and tables illustrating its points.
Table of Contents:
About Participation Rates
Participation Rates across Time
LaborForce in Canada
Women's Increasing Participating Rates
Men's Dropping Participation Rates
The Aging Population
Decreasing Youth's Participation Rate
Conclusions
From the Paper "Another factor that generated mutations in the Canadian participation rates has a macroeconomic nature and is linked to globalization and market liberalization. Free circulation of products and services between countries has generated immigration to Canada. As such, currently, the Canadian workforce is formed of both locals and foreigners. Future predictions include a general decrease in youth and men's participation rates, a stagnation of women's participation rates and also a stagnation of immigrants' participation rates."
Abstract This paper discusses the impact of increased immigration on labor markets. It primarily focuses on the literature review of five sources that pertain to how immigration has negatively affected the native laborforce. Some experts argue that the problem lies with the employer, as organizations that employ low-skilled workers may hire immigrants to save on labor costs.
From the Paper "Trade agreements between countries and regions (i.e. NAFTA and CAFTA) have resulted in increased immigration to North America. The North American low-skilled labour force is suffering as the competition in this market is rapidly increasing as a result of increased immigration. The purpose of this paper is to discuss and analyze whether increased immigration negatively affects native labour markets."
Abstract This paper is written about laborforce trends during the post-war times in Canada. In other words, within the capitalistic set-up, large-scale production of goods and services is the order of the day, which in turn necessitates the need for a large pool of labor, as well as a large consumer segment to absorb these products.
Abstract The writer of this paper attempts to justify why many Chinese citizens chose to immigrate to America as opposed to other nations, such as England or Germany. This paper utilizes the push-pull theory to provide insights into the Chinese migration to the U.S. The pull-factor represents the attraction to a receiving country, often a major industrialized nation of the first world, by some perceived offering or opportunity. The push-factor entails impelling reasons such as low living standards, lack of economic opportunities, political repression or war, which made the people choose to leave their country of origin. This paper examines the various reasons Chinese citizens chose to leave their country, including China's feudal society that was controlled through traditional roles and responsibilities that were based on age, sex, birth order and social class. Chinese migration to the U.S. started during the 1840s. This paper explains how the American gold rush of the 1850s served as the pull factor, while the economically depressed area of south China served as the push. This paper examines the difficulties the immigrants faced in America, including the inherent cultural differences that led to conflicts between the new immigrants and the Americans. The writer also discusses the various reasons many Chinese immigrated to Hawaii and the Pacific West Coast, in which Chinese immigrants made up a large portion of the laborforce.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Immigration History
Conclusion
From the Paper "The Hawaiian government felt it was right to use the workers in the fields but one the contracts were up they did everything in power to keep the Chinese from becoming g full fledged members of the island. This included bringing Japanese to substitute for Chinese as well as using Filipinos for the same purpose. In 1903, Hawaii literally created a law that stipulated that only United States citizens or anyone who was eligible to become a citizen which meant non Asians could become employed in the Hawaiian territory. Metropolitan areas became the sanctuaries for the masses of Chinese immigrants. In San Francisco for example, the notion of a 'Chinatown' implied that Chinese in America were in charge of a world within a world."
Abstract The author of this paper examines the issue of illegal immigration to the United States from Mexico and the need for reform in existing immigration laws. The paper's author postulates that the arguments put forward by opponents of immigration reform are, for the most part invalid and based on racial stereotyping as opposed to reasoned argument. The author states that despite being "illegal", Mexican immigrants are an essential part of the US' work force and as such, deserve the same rights that are accorded to workers who are also citizens. Examples are given of state discrimination against illegal immigrants from Mexico as well as attempts by federal courts to give such immigrants a modicum of protection.
From the Paper "The Supreme Court began to challenge immigration laws in 1875 by ruling that individual states did not have the constitutional right to regulate immigration, as this was exclusively a federal issue. (Heer 37) From this time forward the Supreme Court and other federal entities have had the sole responsibility of enacting and enforcing immigration laws, many of which followed the traditional pattern of allowance only when the US had a need for labor. The first act was to level a head tax on immigrants, which would presumably answer the state's individual desires to bar paupers from entrance into the US. It is possible that many of the ensuing regulations and challenges to Mexican immigration have been as a result of the early sentiment that stresses that those in the direst economic need should not be able to enter the US."
This well-researched paper analyzes the post-WWII rise in European immigration to America, while focusing primarily on Italy's immigrants between 1950-1970.
Abstract This paper examines the factors responsible for the rise in European immigration to the U.S. after WWII. This in-depth paper focuses on the many struggles encountered by Italian immigrants to America between 1950-1970. The writer of this paper details how the segregation of the Italian immigrant community was similar to that suffered by African-Americans. The segregation of Italians was not publicly acknowledged, but existed nonetheless as a force in keeping them congregated in their own neighborhoods and denying them equal access to the U.S. economic and political systems. The negative perception of the Italian culture was further intensified by the rise of the mafia and the presence of organized crime which led to further widespread prejudice. The writer describes the 1950s as an era in which the WASP element of society was preferred even though the overt prejudice against the Irish and Roman Catholics had been reduced. This paper explores religion which was an important element in Italian life. Family and religious life formed a core to the Italian culture and their neighborhoods offered an enclave of life in the old country to newcomers. This paper also contains relevant information as to how the immigrants dealt with day-to-day life in America, from employment to education.
From the Paper "The immigrants with the least education were those most likely to be employed in low paying jobs. Even with minimum wage legislation, it was difficult to earn a living and wives frequently were forced to work part time as seamstresses or domestic servants to supplement the family income. As the higher paying jobs moved to the suburbs, those who were poorest were least able to relocate in search of employment. In The Other America, author Michael Harrington says one of the most self-perpetuating aspects of poverty is the inability to move, physically and mentally. When considered in the physical sense, poverty itself brings about segregation that further alienates immigrants from the mainstream of society."
Abstract This essay argues the thesis that citizenship in western industrialized democracies such as Canada is based upon the institutionalization of inequality whereby migrant labour is sought to meet the labor reproduction needs of industry and business and citizenship rights are restricted to limit any demands these groups may make on state revenues and businesses. From this perspective, the writer maintains that inequality in terms of migration - whether on the grounds of race, gender or ethnicity - must be understood in how it serves the larger corporate interests of Canadian business and society.
Outline:
Introduction
Immigration as an Engine of the Economy
Structural Inequalities of Race, Ethnicity and Gender
Conclusion
From the Paper "Thus, the labour force of Canada was not biologically reproducing itself on a generational basis by the later decades of the twentieth century. In order to meet this shortfall, the Government of Canada resorted to immigration to supply a labour force to meet the demands of the Canadian economy. These demands are complex, for the Labour Force Reproduction model indicates that the economy needs a labour supply not only in terms of production but also to consume the goods produced. As a result, in the years in which the Canadian fertility rates were declining, after 1956 the Canadian immigration levels were increasing. From 1954 to 1992 Canada accepted 5.7 million immigrants. These immigrants fulfilled a wide number of economic roles in Canadian society, from contributing as business class immigrants and supplying entrepreneurial investment funds, to those who work in the commercial and corporate sectors. In addition, we must not forget the significant numbers of immigrants who worked as unpaid labour - often women - and so subsidized the paid labour force in Canada."
Tags:immigrants, welfare, capitalist, labor, force
Effects of Mexican immigration on U.S. economy, theory, global & national factors, poverty & prejudice, impact on agriculture & laborforce, Immigration Control Reform Act of 1986.
2,250 words (approx. 9 pages), 14 sources, 1996, $ 79.95
From the Paper "In California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, a large proportion of the immigrant population groups are undocumented aliens ("Tucson or Bust" A29). Strong opposition, as evidenced by the success at the polls of Proposition 187, exists in these states to the extension of public social services to undocumented aliens and to the employment of undocumented aliens. Republican Pat Buchanan, running for the party's nomination for president, has made illegal immigration one of his hot-button issues. Some Republican governors"notably Pete Wilson in California and George Bush, Jr. in Texas"have emphasized the same issue at the state level."
Abstract This paper looks at the impact of immigrants upon the United States' domestic economy in terms of the contributions they make and the burdens they compel other Americans to shoulder. At the same time, the paper offers some recommendations and, ultimately, solutions which offer a means by which America can successfully marry immigration inflows with its economic needs as well as with the needs of its native-born population. The paper includes a brief annotated bibliography.
From the Paper "To close briefly, the preceding paper has looked at immigration in the United States and its impact upon the American economy. Simply put, while the typical immigrant brings many things to America, there is mounting evidence that he or she creates complications for the native-born. At the same time, fears about illegal immigration and what it means for America abounds and there is no reason that this concern will abate any time soon. Ultimately, the best things America can do appear to be the following: tighten border security, increase the educational and professional requirements for immigrants; and put money into punishing those who profit from illegal immigration. If this is done, then there is hope for the future."
Abstract This paper explains that the first distinction between legal and illegal immigrants is that illegal immigrants are not subject to any law that allows them to work according to the conditions imposed by a certain country; whereas, legal immigrants follow the direct and clear provisions of the laws. The author points out that, although both types of immigrants are considered to be cheap labor, the illegal immigrants particularly suffer from this discriminatory attitude. The paper stresses that, while there are restrictions posed on illegal immigrants, for legal immigrants there is the obvious need of trying to improve their lives to help them have a better standard of living and for the American government to benefit from their work.
From the Paper "Legal and illegal immigrants continue to be an area in which the American legislature as well as the public opinion in general continues to invest from all points of view. However, their approaches are rather different in the sense that while there are restrictions posed on illegal immigrants, for legal immigrants there is the obvious need of trying to improve their lives in order to help them have a better standard of living and the American government to benefit from their work."
Tags: legitimacy, public opinion, cheap labor, enforcement, tax payer
Abstract The paper maintains that it is more beneficial to raise the rights of present immigrants so legal citizens of the United States can compete with them for employment opportunities rather than devoting taxpayer dollars to enforcing immigration laws which will be broken. The paper relates that this would be a big blow to businesses, many of which thrive upon the availability of cheap illegal labor. The paper argues, however, that it would help the working class and aid in narrowing the ever-growing gap between the rich and the poor in the United States.
From the Paper "Since the New World was first discovered, there has been an enormous influx of people from various parts of the world and differing cultures who have wished to resettle in what is now the United States. Of course, these immigrants have historically arrived in the United States in waves, with different portions of the globe and different ethnicities being represented in each individual wave. Yet, one characteristic that has remained constant over the history of immigration in the United States is the general apprehensiveness with which new immigrants have been welcomed by the established culture and society. Although the issue of immigration amnesty has been debated for centuries, it still remains one of the most hotly contested and influential topics in modern public debate. Significant problems with the current laws surrounding illegal immigration and amnesty still exist."
Abstract This paper looks at how America has long been known for being the land of opportunity and how millions of immigrants have come to America and started new lives living off of the fruits of their labor from working. It examines how, in recent decades, however, concern has developed about the number of jobs the immigrant workers perform. There have been many debates and discussions about U.S. immigration policy and how it impacts domestic workers in this country. It explores how America is currently facing a dilemma and how it has to decide whether its willingness to embrace immigrants is going to have a negative impact on the plight of the domestic worker.
From the Paper "Those who advocate for immigrant workers allege the only jobs the immigrants are taking are jobs that US residents do not want or need. For many years it was believed that the only jobs being taken by immigrant workers were those on farmland as planters and pickers. For a long time this many have been the case but more recently the jobs being taken by immigrant workers have branched out to include other industries."
Abstract This paper explains that during difficult periods in American history, there has been more discrimination against immigrants, especially in the area of labor. This is due, in part, to a fear that the immigrants will be taking jobs away from the natural born citizens. This study argues that a number of studies and research, shows, however, that this is not the case. Includes 3 page outline.
From the Paper "A poll conducted in October 2004 by the Center for Governmental Services at Auburn University showed that more than half of individuals from Alabama surveyed believe immigrant workers are taking jobs away from Americans and do not bring needed skills to the state. The random telephone poll of 1,012 residents of Alabama of voting age found that 34 percent of those surveyed "strongly agree" and 23 percent "somewhat agree" that immigrants are taking this employment. The poll did not make a distinction between illegal and legal immigrants and had a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. The other question, whether immigrants bring required skills to the state, 34 percent "strongly disagree" and 21 percent "somewhat disagree." Although 10 percent of those called stated they have seen immigrants making constructive contributions to the area, 42 percent accuse them for community-wide concerns, such as petty crime, housing violations and littering. In addition, 56 percent of those surveyed feel that Alabama should not give immigrants social welfare assistance."
