Foggy Social Structures
Subtitle: Irregular Migration, European Labour Markets and the Welfare State
Contributors: Sciortino, Giuseppe; Bommes, Michael; Sciortino, Giuseppe
Publisher: Amsterdam University Press
Published: 2011
Number of pages: 236
Subjects: Migration, immigration & emigration; Sociology & anthropology
Description: Irregular migration systems are giving way to an undocumented population in Europe that is estimated at some millions. The migrants manage to live and work for years without a certified identity yet within 'foggy' social structures. What strategies and mechanisms allow them to avoid detection, generate an income and access necessary services? What alternatives are pursued - at whatever human cost - to substitute for political membership and legal protection? How does irregular status impact social interactions? Based on empirical studies carried out across the Continent, this book explores how irregular migration systems developed over time to interact with changing European labour markets, welfare regimes and immigration policies. Foggy Social Structures considers such phenomena one of contemporary society's distinctive features, one that challenges existing notions of political statehood and societal membership.

Europese landen kampen met allerlei vormen van illegale migratie met als gevolg dat miljoenen mensen leven en werken zonder geldige identiteitspapieren. Hoe komen zij aan inkomen en andere voorzieningen en zorgen zij ervoor dat ze niet worden getraceerd? Wat is de invloed van illegaliteit op hun sociale interactie? Foggy Social Structures beschrijft de wijze waarop illegale migratiesystemen zich hebben ontwikkeld, tegen het licht van de veranderingen in de Europese arbeidsmarkten, het immigratiebeleid en het verzorgingsstelsel.
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