Theoretical approaches to international migration for employment largely ignore the role of government policies in shaping both migratory flows and the functioning of international labor markets, despite empirical evidence that such policies exist. To facilitate considerations of policy in migration theory this article examines politics and ideology in the evolution of migration policy in Kuwait. Policy determinants are found to include not only changes in economic conditions, but also shifts in power among political actors and the salience of issues on the political agenda: security issues, regional political events, demographic changes and perceived social costs of immigration. Future prospects for the Gulf are also considered.
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