A Global Sociology on Lifestyle Migrations

This chapter explores lifestyle migration from the vantage point of a global sociology of migration. It picks up strands of the transnational approach to migration studies and asks what other concepts and concerns emerge when lifestyle migration is added to our picture of global migrations. The chapter explores how the self-understanding and place representations of North-South migration, often studied in lifestyle migration scholarship, reflect global inequalities. Drawing on Bourdieu’s field theory, the chapter develops some key concepts for lifestyle migration scholars to think with, concepts that allow us to locate self-projects, identities, emotions and place representations in global social space. The chapter also reflects on the role of a critical, public sociological approach that lifestyle migration may be able to develop towards lifestyle migration and global inequality.