300657 Forced migration in Latin America (MA: Soziologie der globalen Welt) (S) (SoSe 2025)

We will begin by exploring the concepts of migration drivers and forced migration, alongside key terms such as refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and other relevant categories. Building on this foundation, the seminar examines the evolution of refugee and migration policies in Latin America, with particular attention to why these frameworks have often been characterised by scholars as 'liberal' and 'progressive.' We will critically assess how the mass displacement of Venezuelans has tested the limits of these policies, prompting diverse responses across the region. The course will analyse the varying approaches taken by different countries — from the increasingly restrictive policies in Chile, Peru, and Ecuador to the comparatively open-door strategies of Colombia and Brazil — and unpack the political, economic, and social factors driving these divergences. In addition to the Venezuelan case, we will discuss responses to other forced migration flows, including those from Haiti and Ecuador, to build a broader understanding of regional dynamics. Finally, we will situate Latin American approaches within global debates on forced migration, asking what lessons — and potential models — this region offers for other parts of the world.