Immigration – The Flock Theory of Migration

IMMIGRATION
THE FLOCK THEORY OF MIGRATION
Musings 
By
VIKRAM KARVE 

While watching TV news showing the twists and turns on the US Travel Ban – I remembered a story I had posted a few years ago.

Here is the article... 

WHY PEOPLE MIGRATE 

Immigration is a contentious issue.

Immigration can be legal and illegal.

Yes – for a variety of reasons – people migrate to other countries – both legally and illegally. 

People migrate for multifarious reasons. 

In a nutshell – the various reasons for migration can be categorized into “Push Factors” and “Pull Factors”.

Push Factors = Survival Migration

“Push Factor Migration” is “Survival Migration” – where people are “forced” to migrate – due to danger to life/limb because of war/conflict – or – inability to survive due to lack of food and bare necessities of life.

Such migrants who seek asylum in other countries when their life is endangered – or persons who migrate to escape from extreme poverty and deprivation – are called “Refugees”.

The present European Migrant Crisis is an example of “Push Factor” migration where refugees are fleeing from war-torn countries and seeking asylum in peaceful countries.

History is replete with examples of such “push factor survival migration” due to war, religious/political persecution, genocide, ethnic cleansing, safety/security issues, natural disasters/calamities, famines, droughts, floods etc.

Pull Factors = “Better Life” Migration

“Pull Factor Migration” is “Choice Migration” – where people “choose” to migrate for a “better life”.  

These people migrate to more developed countries because they want to enjoy a Higher “Standard of Living” and live a Better “Quality of Life” –  to put it “metaphorically” – they migrate to realize their “American Dream”.

Is Migration good? 

Or – is Migration it bad? 

What are the consequences of immigration for the host country? 

Excessive immigration can cause demographic imbalance – which may disturb social equilibrium.

When the number of immigrants becomes large – then – in a democracy – the immigrants can influence the outcome of elections by becoming a “vote bank”. 

Immigration can be legal and illegal. 

I have observed that for many bright youngsters in India – their cardinal objective in life is to migrate to America – to study – then work – get a Green Card – followed by US Citizenship – and permanently live in the USA all their lives – and realize their American Dream. 

All over the world – people from less developed countries migrate to better developed countries, legally and illegally.

A few years ago – I had written an article on The Flock Theory of Migration

Since the topic of “immigration” is back in the news – I thought it would be apt to post this article below – once again – for you to read. 

FLOCK THEORY OF MIGRATION – Food for Thought by Vikram Karve

BIRD-WATCHING – FLOCK OF MIGRATORY BIRDS

Long back, me and my friend, a Bird-Watcher, a self-styled ornithologist, were observing birds 

(I am referring to the “winged” variety of birds)

We saw a huge a flock of migratory birds flying in the sky.

It was a fascinating sight to see the flock of birds flying in perfect formation.

I mentioned this to my friend who then told me about the “flock theory” of migration.

He told me that sometimes different kinds of birds that do not belong to the original flock also join the flock and fly along.

The birds in the flock allow these “outsider” birds to fly along with the flock as long as they do not disturb the pattern, movement, flight speed and direction (course) of the flock.

When the number of “immigrant” birds is small, these “outsider” birds quietly assimilate themselves into the flock, obey the rules of the flock and do not disturb the harmony of the flock.

Sometimes the number of these “immigrant” birds increases to a sizeable proportion and they may disturb the harmony of the flock, if these “outsider” birds try to assert themselves.

These “foreigner” birds may even try to control the flock by trying to dominate and alter the flight pattern.

This disturbance in harmony and attempt at domination is not tolerated by the main flock of birds, and violent clashes break out as the main flock of birds tries to remove the “immigrant” birds from the flock – yes, the original birds in the flock try to throw out the “foreigner” birds out of the flock.

HUMAN MIGRATION

I think a similar hypothesis applies to human migration too.

When you migrate to another country (or when you relocate within your country to another state or city) you must remember this flock theory of migration.

Try to assimilate yourself into your new “host” country or city and acclimatize yourself to the way of life of your new place of residence.

You must mix around and interact with the local inhabitants and imbibe the indigenous culture of your new abode.

You must not “ghettoize” yourself by forming tightly-knit inward-looking groups of your own community but you must embrace the culture of your new land (after all, it is you who have chosen to migrate there).

Always remember that you are the foreigner in their land – you are the “guest” and they are your “hosts” – and a guest must never attempt to dominate the host and try to make the host a guest in his own country.

Yes, if you are an immigrant in another country, it is best to conduct yourself as a “guest” and adopt to the culture of your “hosts” rather than try to dominate and impose your culture on your “hosts”.

A large number of my relatives, classmates and friends have migrated to America and have lived there for many years.

However, I find that they mostly mingle among the Indian community (even language and state wise), as is evident from the photos they show us.

When I ask them why they do not have any American friends, they have no credible answer except saying that they do have such friendships, but at the workplace only.

However their children, born and brought up in the USA, have friendships, relationships and even marriages with resident Americans – in fact, Americans now comprise so many types and varieties of ethnicity 

Since over the years, so many persons from all parts of the world have migrated to the USA for a better life and now America has become the melting pot of diverse cultures.

The flock theory applies to all types of migration. 

TYPES OF MIGRATION

Immigrants migrate due to a variety of reasons.

Some immigrants “choose” to migrate and willingly accept the majority culture of their host nation and are seamlessly assimilated and integrated into the existing society of their “hosts”.

Some immigrants are forced to migrate, due to a variety of reasons, including political and socio-economic imperatives, for education, or for reasons of safety and security arising from instability or warlike conditions in their homeland. 

These forced migrants are like “refugees”.

These “forced migrants” are less amenable to assimilating themselves with the majority population.

It is these “forced immigrants” who ghettoize themselves into communities and try to maintain their own distinct identity by refusing the absorb the culture of their new land.

Sometimes the numbers of such “refugee” forced immigrants may increase to a point where the immigrants may alter the demographic balance and try to impose their will on their hosts.

It is then that the “flock theory” will apply and a conflict will start and there will be a struggle for dominance.

When migration takes place, both the “hosts” (natives) and the “guests” (migrants) must remember the Flock Theory and ensure that cultural harmony is maintained and the demographic balance is not upset. 

THRESHOLD LIMITS FOR MIGRATION – TO MAINTAIN DEMOGRAPHIC EQUILIBRIUM

My “bird-watcher” friend gave a ballpark figure of 30% when I asked him what was the flock theory threshold beyond which the harmony of the flock is disturbed.

Applying the same threshold to human migration, this tells us that the “hosts” must ensure that “guests” (immigrants) do not exceed 30% of the population, otherwise the “demographic equilibrium” gets disturbed.

Yes, in order to avoid social turbulence, migrants must not be allowed to exceed 30% of the population.

If this is allowed to happen and the 30% barrier is broken, and the number of immigrants keeps on increasing in an unabated manner two things may happen:

1. The migrants will become a sizeable proportion of the population and alter the demographic balance (and become a “votebank”). 

In a democracy, this may give the migrants undue power in governance and this loss of power to “outsiders” will be resented by the original inhabitants.

2. The “cultural visibility” of the migrants will become starkly evident and the original local residents will feel threatened and become insecure in their own land. 

Owing to their dominance, the migrants may try to impose their own ethnic, religious and social customs and try to change the original culture of the land and this cultural invasion will be resented by the original inhabitants.

The “flock theory” phenomenon is akin to the manner in which the harmony of the “flock” is disturbed and the original birds feel jeopardized because they fear that their “flock” will be being taken over by “outsider” birds.

The flock theory of migration teaches us the lesson that if migration is not controlled within acceptable limits, due to clash of cultures and a sense of insecurity, a stage will come when the migrants will not be welcome anymore and this will create dissonance and discord in society. 

This is because no one likes to be dominated by “outsiders” who try to impose their culture on the local inhabitants.

Remember: No “host” likes to be turned into a “guest” in his own home

Dear Reader:

Do you agree with the “flock theory of migration”...?

Do you feel there should be threshold limits to immigration to avoid demographic equilibrium being disturbed...?

Please comment and let us know your views.

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (all rights reserved)

Revised Version of Article First Posted by me Vikram Karve in my blog at 10/12/2012 01:48:00 PM at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/10/flock-theory-of-migration.html  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2014/11/immigration-threshold-limits-for.html  and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/05/immigration-and-flock-theory-of.html etc

Musings on Immigration, Migrant Crisis, Travel Ban, Refugees Welcome Policy, Hospitality etc

While watching TV news showing the twists and turns on the US Travel Ban – I remembered a story I had posted a few years ago during the European Migrant Crisis due to their “Refugees Welcome” policy. 

Dear Reader:

Do read the article and tell me: Isn’t the story relevant even today...?

Do You Want to become a “Guest” in your own “Home”...?

Whenever I see news on the European Migrant Crisis – I feel that Europe is a most magnanimous place – and Europeans are the most compassionate people.

No other country would warmly welcome illegal migrants, refugees and asylum seekers as European Nations are doing.

Because of this generosity of European people – refugees prefer to take the hazardous journey by land and sea all the way to Europe – rather than seek temporary refuge in their neighbouring countries.

Normally – displaced persons will take shelter in close proximity in a neighbouring country so that they can return back to their homes once the crisis is over.

But – in the present European Refugee Crisis – refugees from different continents are travelling long distances to reach Western Europe.

The main reason why these refugees are going all the way to Europe (rather than neighbouring countries) is because most of these refugees have no intention of returning back to their own countries once the conflict is over.

For obvious economic reasons – these refugees want to permanently settle down in Europe.

However – it must be remembered that allowing unabated immigration has ramifications – both in the short term – and more so in the long term. 

Surprisingly – Europe does not seem to be concerned about the demographic, social, cultural and security ramifications of encouraging illegal immigration owing to which refugees are being attracted towards Europe. 

And now – the protests against to the US Travel Ban shows that even Americans want to follow a “Immigrants Welcome” policy.

The magnanimous hospitality extended by Europe to illegal immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees and the American Citizens’ protest against the Travel Ban reminds me of this famous teaching story I had posted a few years ago in my blog.

DO YOU WANT TO BECOME A GUEST IN YOUR OWN HOME...?

A Fable – and Musings – on “Hospitality”

By

VIKRAM KARVE

When I was a small boy – someone told me a fable.

It was an apocryphal teaching story of a Trader and his Camel.

I remember this insightful fable even today.

Whenever I feel overly magnanimous  generous and benevolent – I tell myself this story – and I try to apply the “moral of the story” in my life whenever the need arises.

Are you a magnanimous, benevolent, humanitarian and hospitable person...?

Then – you too need to read the story of a Trader and his Camel.

THE STORY OF “THE TRADER AND HIS CAMEL”

It was a cold winter night.

The Trader was resting in his tent.

He had tied his Camel outside.

Suddenly – his Camel peeped inside the tent.

“What is it...?” the Trader asked his Camel.

“Respected Master – it is very cold outside. Please allow me to put my head inside your tent...” the Camel said to the Trader.

The kind Trader took pity on the poor animal.

So – he agreed to the Camel’s request.

“Okay – you can put your head inside the tent...” the Trader said to his Camel.

The Camel put his Head inside the Tent.

A little later – the Camel asked the Trader: 

“Respected Master – my neck feels very cold. Please let me put my neck inside your tent as well.”

Once again – the magnanimous Trader allowed the Camel to do so. 

So – the Camel put his Neck inside the Tent.

A few minutes later – the Camel asked if he could put his forelegs inside the tent.

Once again – the compassionate Trader agreed. 

So – the Camel put his Forelegs inside the Tent.

Then – the Camel wanted to put his chest inside the tent – and again – the kind-hearted Trader agreed.

So – the Camel put his Chest inside the Tent. 

Then – taking advantage of his master’s kind nature – the Camel kept asking to put his back and then his hump inside the tent.

The Trader agreed to all this. 

So – the Camel put his Back and Hump inside the Tent

This went on and on.

The Camel kept asking to put parts of his body inside the tent.

And – his compassionate Master – the kind Trader – he agreed to all the Camel’s requests.

Soon – the entire Camel was completely inside the Tent.

Now – the Tent was too small for both the Trader and the Camel.

They both struggled to remain inside the overcrowded tent.

There was a scuffle – and – the much stronger and bigger Camel pushed the Trader out of the Tent. 

Yes – the Trader was pushed out of his own tent by his Camel.

The ungrateful Camel pushed out his kind-hearted Master out of the Tent. 

So ultimately – the Camel slept comfortably in the warm Tent – while the Trader shivered outside in the freezing cold.

MORAL OF THE STORY

You should be careful before you extend your hospitality – lest your guests take undue advantage of your magnanimity and generosity.

This fable teaches us lessons at both the macro and micro levels.

MACRO LEVEL MORAL – The Problem of REFUGEES, ASYLUM-SEEKERS, IMMIGRANTS and SETTLERS

Let us see a “macro level paradigm” ramification.

Suppose there is a war ravaged or strife torn country – where there is so much violence that the life of citizens is in danger.

As a humanitarian gesture – a benevolent neighbouring country may open its borders to allow refugees to come in and live in safety.

Some other countries may also allow immigration of foreigners as a gesture of goodwill.

In other cases – illegal immigrants may enter another country and settle down there.

The “host” country may be charitable to allow them to stay on – and they may not deport them back to their original country. 

Many “magnanimous” countries have such “guests”.

Gradually – the number of these “guests” becomes substantial enough to cause demographic change.

Now – like the “Camel” in the story – the “guests” may soon “throw out” the “host” from his own “tent”.

Even if they don’t evict the “host” out of his own “tent” – these “guests” may make life uncomfortable for the “host” in his own “tent” – just like the Camel did to the benevolent, humanitarian and kind-hearted Trader during the fable – before finally pushing him out of the tent.

Refugees, asylum seekers and migrants – legal and illegal – may take undue advantage of their host country and the liberal benevolence and humanitarianism of the original inhabitants. 

Soon – these alien immigrants may start dominating the original inhabitants.

In some cases – assertive immigrants my try to impose their radical culture on their liberal hosts – and – some fanatical immigrants even jeopardise the safety and security of their host nation.

And sometimes – like the camel in the story – these immigrants may even succeed in evicting the original inhabitants from their homeland. 

History shows many such examples which have happened all over the world where illegal immigrants have started dominating and imposing their will on the original inhabitants.

MICRO LEVEL MORAL – “Guests” who overstay their welcome

At a micro level – this can happen in your own home.

I have seen so many “guests” who overstay their welcome – and so many guests who take undue advantage of the magnanimity of their “hosts”.

Let me narrate a few apocryphal examples.

THE BENEVOLENT HOUSE OWNER AND THE UNGRATEFUL TENANT

I have seen a case where a benevolent large-hearted person rented out his new locked-up house to a friend who was in dire need of accommodation.

The owner, an Army officer, was in a transferable job – and he served all over India – while his friend stayed as a tenant in his house.

Many years later – when the house owner retired from the Army – and he wanted to settle in his own house.

But – the ungrateful tenant refused to vacate the house – and – the hapless Army Officer – the house-owner – he could not stay in his own house – and – he had to live on rent in another house.

CUCKOO – STEALING AFFECTIONS – THE MARRIAGE BREAKER “GUEST”

I have heard a story – maybe apocryphal – about a “guest” stealing the affections of her host’s husband.

A compassionate caring kind-hearted woman invited a cousin sister to live with her in her home in the city – since her newly arrived cousin sister was finding it difficult to find a suitable accommodation in the city where she had found her first job.

The scheming cousin sister responded by seducing and stealing the woman’s husband.

Finally – the wily cousin sister settled down with the woman’s husband – and the hapless kind-hearted woman was turned out of her own house.

Yes – like in the Trader and Camel story – the woman was turned out of her own house by her “guest” – her own cousin sister. 

Her home and her husband was stolen by the “guest” – her own cousin sister – to whom she had been so magnanimous and hospitable.

LESSONS TO BE LEARNT

This fable has a lesson to all of us that you must not be too magnanimous, benevolent and over-generous in extending your hospitality. 

Humanitarianism has its limits – both at the macro and micro levels.

Be careful – otherwise there is a danger that you may become a “guest” in your own “home”.

The “guest” may endanger your security – and worse – the “guest” may even drive you out of your own home.

So – before you extend your hospitality to anyone – remember the story of the Trader and the Camel. 

And – at the macro level – liberal nations should think twice before they say: “Refugees Welcome”. 

Dear Reader – Do you agree...?

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

1. This story is a fictional spoof, satire, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.

2. All Stories in this Blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved)

     

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

This is a revised and abridged version of my article which was first written by me Vikram Karve 12 years ago in 2005 and posted online by me a number of times earlier in my blogs including at urls: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/03/hospitality.html  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/10/are-you-magnanimous-benevolent-and.html  and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/07/are-you-good-host-musings-on-hospitality.html  and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/09/do-you-want-to-become-guest-in-your-own.html  and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/11/migrant-refugee-crisis-wisdom-story.html etc