From Migration to Mobility: A Reading of the Possibilities and Limits of the New Mobilities Paradigm

Abstract

Migration has long occupied a central position in the social sciences, with a range of theoretical frameworks addressing its causes, forms, and impacts. In recent decades, however, a conceptual shift has taken shape with the emergence of the Mobilities Paradigm - a promising framework that rethinks migration beyond linear, origin-to-destination models. This paradigm promotes a more dynamic and multidimensional understanding of mobility, encompassing spatial, social, and virtual movements. This article explores the analytical contributions of the Mobilities Paradigm to the study of migration, examining its core concepts, theoretical implications, and the broader paradigm shift it represents. It critically reviews classical approaches to migration and contrasts them with the mobilities perspective, ultimately highlighting how the latter enables a more integrated and nuanced reading of contemporary human movement. The article concludes by addressing some of the key critiques leveled at this emerging framework.