Abstract

Analyse: In "The international dimension of French migrant labor policy", Matthew Leitner traces the development of foreign labor in France from the middle of the nineteenth century to the present day. He shows that originally the French government's role in these population movements was very minor, and almost exclusively limited to concerns over national security. However, through time the role of the state increased to the point that it ultimately would assume the responsibility for both the regulation and the recruitment of this foreign workforce.

But if the role of the state increased, it has been matched by the development of a parallel, and competing system of "international" regulation. It is this international dimension that constitutes the core of this research, and particular attention has been given to the various attempts that have been made to establish a supranational body with the authority to regulate these population movements on an international scale.

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