2 Imperialism, Migration and Class in the 21st Century
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Tom Vickers
Abstract
This chapter situates Britain within contemporary capitalism, to lay the foundation for the analysis of migration, welfare and precarity that follows. The chapter begins by arguing that the economic crisis has arisen from fundamental contradictions within capitalism and has far-reaching consequences for society. This is followed by three main sections: the first uses ‘imperialism’ to describe capitalism’s contemporary form, as a distinctive organisation of the global space of capital and labour; the second considers migration, focusing on the role of borders and racism in structuring human mobility within imperialism; the third discusses class, shaped by borders and racism within imperialist Britain.
Abstract
This chapter situates Britain within contemporary capitalism, to lay the foundation for the analysis of migration, welfare and precarity that follows. The chapter begins by arguing that the economic crisis has arisen from fundamental contradictions within capitalism and has far-reaching consequences for society. This is followed by three main sections: the first uses ‘imperialism’ to describe capitalism’s contemporary form, as a distinctive organisation of the global space of capital and labour; the second considers migration, focusing on the role of borders and racism in structuring human mobility within imperialism; the third discusses class, shaped by borders and racism within imperialist Britain.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- List of Figures and Tables vi
- Acknowledgements vii
- Series Preface viii
- Introduction 1
- Imperialism, Migration and Class in the 21st Century 17
- Deconstructing Migrant Crises in Europe 55
- Deconstructing Welfare Crises 95
- Mobility Power and Labour Power in the Crisis of Imperialism 133
- Deconstructing Migrant/Worker Categories in Britain 169
- Conclusion 185
- Appendix: Methodology 193
- References 199
- Index 229
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- List of Figures and Tables vi
- Acknowledgements vii
- Series Preface viii
- Introduction 1
- Imperialism, Migration and Class in the 21st Century 17
- Deconstructing Migrant Crises in Europe 55
- Deconstructing Welfare Crises 95
- Mobility Power and Labour Power in the Crisis of Imperialism 133
- Deconstructing Migrant/Worker Categories in Britain 169
- Conclusion 185
- Appendix: Methodology 193
- References 199
- Index 229
