Saskia Sassen

Definition

Saskia Sassen is a prominent sociologist and economist known for her work on globalization, immigration, and urban studies. She is particularly recognized for her analysis of how global cities serve as nodes in the international economy, impacting integration policies and services for immigrants by shaping economic opportunities and social dynamics within urban environments.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Saskia Sassen's concept of 'global cities' highlights how cities like New York, London, and Tokyo are crucial in facilitating global economic processes, affecting immigrant integration policies.
2. Her research emphasizes that global cities create specific demands for immigrant labor, shaping the types of jobs available and influencing the policies aimed at integrating these workers.
3. Sassen argues that immigration is not just a matter of individual movement but is deeply tied to global economic restructuring and urbanization trends.
4. She stresses the importance of understanding the social dynamics within cities to develop effective policies that address the needs of immigrant populations.
5. Sassen's work has contributed to the broader discourse on how urban environments can foster inclusion or exclusion for immigrants, impacting their access to services and opportunities.

Review Questions

• How does Saskia Sassen's concept of global cities influence integration policies for immigrants?
  • Saskia Sassen's idea of global cities illustrates that these urban areas are critical hubs in the global economy, which significantly impacts the integration policies for immigrants. As these cities attract diverse populations seeking economic opportunities, their labor markets dictate the types of jobs available, leading to tailored integration services. Therefore, understanding the unique dynamics of global cities allows policymakers to create more effective strategies for integrating immigrants into society.
• Evaluate how Sassen’s theories on transnationalism affect immigrant integration in urban areas.
  • Sassen’s theories on transnationalism indicate that immigrants often maintain strong ties with their home countries while integrating into new urban environments. This dual connection can complicate their integration process since they navigate both local expectations and their transnational networks. As a result, integration policies need to account for these relationships to effectively support immigrants in building their lives in host cities while respecting their links to their origins.
• Analyze the implications of Sassen's research on social exclusion for designing immigrant support services in global cities.
  • Sassen's research highlights how social exclusion can manifest in global cities, particularly for marginalized immigrant groups facing barriers to access essential services. This insight calls for a critical analysis of existing support systems to identify gaps that perpetuate exclusion. By incorporating Sassen's findings, policymakers can design more inclusive immigrant support services that not only address immediate needs but also foster long-term integration and social cohesion within urban settings.

Related terms

Global City: A city that has a significant influence on global affairs through socioeconomic and cultural connections, often serving as a hub for international trade and finance.

Transnationalism:

The process by which immigrants maintain connections across national borders, creating networks that facilitate economic, social, and political interactions between their home and host countries.

Social Exclusion:

The process by which individuals or groups are systematically blocked from various rights, opportunities, and resources that are normally available to members of a different group.