The Global Politics of Forced Migration : An Australian Perspective

This book focuses on the socio-political problems that emanate from Western states' harsh deterrence policies in their responses to refugee crises. Using Australia’s own policy as a lens, it examines the ways in which isolated and separatist reactions not only deny protection and basic human rights for asylum seekers but also do nothing to address structurally enduring push factors. Reflecting on a range of interconnected issues in migration research and asylum policy, this book draws on multidisciplinary insights and a mixed methodology to critically examine current assumptions underlying refugee policies both in Australia and internationally. Acknowledgements Contents List of Figures Chapter 1: Context, Contentions, and Thematic Scope Operational Definitions of Key Terms Global Perspectives on Asylum Seekers and Refugees The Ethical, Political and Policy Dilemmas Affecting Refugees References Chapter 2: The Globalisation of Restrictive Refugee Policies Human Mobility and the Contradictions of Globalisation The Globalisation of Restrictive Policies Indifference and Hostility Toward Outsiders Between Cosmopolitan Claims and a Growing ‘Citizenship Gap’ Selectivity in Western Humanitarianism COVID-19’s Impacts on Temporary Visa Holders in Australia References Chapter 3: The Transnational Dimensions of Forced Migration States and the Transnational Practices of Asylum Seekers Accounting for the Transnational Practices of Asylum Seekers The Globalisation of Restrictions and the Hardening of Border Controls A Securitised Agenda Driving a ‘New Exclusionary Internationalism’ References Chapter 4: Australia’s Hard-Line Approach to Asylum Seekers The Global Context for Asylum Governance Fault Lines: Australia’s Record on Asylum Seeker Policies The Hardening of Policies During the Howard/Hanson Conservative Era TPVs as a Punitive, Diluted Form of Protection Detention as a Deterrence Strategy Temporary Protection in the International Context References Chapter 5: Public Attitudes Towards Muslim Asylum Seekers in Australia Contemporary Public Attitudes Towards Asylum Seekers and Refugees The Racialisation of Muslim Migrants in Contemporary Australia Waging a War of Words on Muslim Asylum Seekers and Refugees Political Discourse Justifying Inhumane Policies A Muslim Motif? Exploring the Emergence of Contemporary Tropes References Chapter 6: The States’ Approach to Temporary Protection—Destitution, Dehumanisation and Disconnection TPV as a Condemnation to Material Deprivation The Mental Scars and Emotional Burden of Life in Limbo Inter-group Solidarity and Cross-Cultural Connections References Chapter 7: Conclusion—Rethinking Asylum Policies in a Changing World Temporary Protection and the Complexity of State Responses to Asylum Seekers Temporary Protection in a Rapidly Changing World Australia’s Regional Approach to the Asylum Seeker Question Rethinking International Governance Arrangements for Refugees Conclusion References Index