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Humanities and Arts

Emigration State: Race, Citizenship and Settler Imperialism in Modern British History, c. 1850–1972

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Freddy Foks

Freddy Foks

Department of History, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK

freddy.foks@manchester.ac.uk


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© attribution CC-BY

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2022-08-22

Doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/johs.12366

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Abstract

What role did migration play in the making of modern Britain? We now have a good sense of how ethnicity, class, religion and gender structured immigrants' experience and what impact they had on Britain's culture, society and economy. But as Nancy Green pointed out almost two decades ago, scholars of migration must focus on exit as well as entry. Such a call to study ‘the politics of exit’ is especially apposite in the case of the UK. For in every decade between 1850 and 1980 (with the exception of the 1930s), the UK experienced net emigration year on year. This article analyses this outflow of migrants to reveal a new vision of the UK as an ‘emigration state’. The article employs this concept to make a new argument about the formation of migration policy in the UK and offers a revised account of the geographical boundaries of the modern British state.

Key Questions

What is the central argument of the study "Emigration State: Race, Citizenship and Settler Imperialism in Modern British History"?

The study argues that the UK can be understood as an "emigration state" due to its consistent net emigration from 1850 to 1980 (excluding the 1930s). It explores how emigration shaped British migration policy, citizenship, and the geographical boundaries of the modern British state, particularly in the context of race and settler imperialism.

How does the study redefine the UK's role in migration history?

The study redefines the UK as an "emigration state," emphasizing the significance of emigration rather than immigration in shaping its modern history. It highlights how the outflow of migrants influenced British identity, policy, and its imperial relationships, particularly with settler colonies.

What role did race and citizenship play in British emigration policies?

Race and citizenship were central to British emigration policies, as they determined who was encouraged or allowed to emigrate and where they could settle. The study examines how these policies reinforced racial hierarchies and supported settler imperialism in colonies like Australia, Canada, and South Africa.

Why is the concept of the "politics of exit" important in this study?

The "politics of exit" refers to the deliberate policies and ideologies that shaped emigration from the UK. The study argues that understanding emigration is as crucial as studying immigration, as it reveals how the British state managed its population, maintained imperial ties, and constructed national identity.

How does the study connect emigration to settler imperialism?

The study connects emigration to settler imperialism by showing how British emigrants were often directed to settler colonies to consolidate imperial control. This process reinforced racial and cultural dominance in these colonies while shaping the UK's domestic and international policies.

What are the broader implications of the study for understanding modern British history?

The study challenges traditional narratives of British history by emphasizing the role of emigration in shaping the nation's identity, policies, and imperial legacy. It offers a revised understanding of the UK's geographical and political boundaries, highlighting the interconnectedness of migration, race, and empire.

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ARTICLE USAGE


Article usage: Aug-2022 to May-2025
Show by month Manuscript Video Summary
2025 May 163 163
2025 April 95 95
2025 March 114 114
2025 February 77 77
2025 January 125 125
2024 December 70 70
2024 November 85 85
2024 October 77 77
2024 September 86 86
2024 August 63 63
2024 July 61 61
2024 June 51 51
2024 May 65 65
2024 April 66 66
2024 March 67 67
2024 February 51 51
2024 January 46 46
2023 December 51 51
2023 November 53 53
2023 October 33 33
2023 September 25 25
2023 August 19 19
2023 July 34 34
2023 June 32 32
2023 May 34 34
2023 April 41 41
2023 March 40 40
2023 February 1 1
2023 January 2 2
2022 December 12 12
Total 1739 1739
Show by month Manuscript Video Summary
2025 May 163 163
2025 April 95 95
2025 March 114 114
2025 February 77 77
2025 January 125 125
2024 December 70 70
2024 November 85 85
2024 October 77 77
2024 September 86 86
2024 August 63 63
2024 July 61 61
2024 June 51 51
2024 May 65 65
2024 April 66 66
2024 March 67 67
2024 February 51 51
2024 January 46 46
2023 December 51 51
2023 November 53 53
2023 October 33 33
2023 September 25 25
2023 August 19 19
2023 July 34 34
2023 June 32 32
2023 May 34 34
2023 April 41 41
2023 March 40 40
2023 February 1 1
2023 January 2 2
2022 December 12 12
Total 1739 1739
Related Subjects
History
Music
Language
Philosophy
Classics
Art
copyright icon

© attribution CC-BY

  • 0

rating
1739 Views

Added on

2022-08-22

Doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/johs.12366

Related Subjects
History
Music
Language
Philosophy
Classics
Art

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