The autonomy of migration as travelling theory: Situated principles from Nepal

Abstract

The autonomy of migration (AOM) theory views mobility as a fundamental force that shapes our world. This theory of migration challenges the state-centric view of migration as a problem to be solved. It emphasises the role of migrant agency in the transformation of social, political and economic structures. Whilst AOM has contributed to understanding migrant struggles in contexts where there are restrictions on the inflow of immigrants, it has also faced criticisms from migration scholars and activists, prompting ongoing engagement, refinement and transformation. In this article, I position AOM as a travelling theory, demonstrating how its core insights travel across geographical, political and academic contexts. I draw on three cases from Nepal, where citizens' outflow is restricted, to outline five situated principles of AOM that build on and expand the theory's original formulations relevant to the context of Nepal. These situated principles not only ground AOM contextually but also demonstrate how a travelling theory of migration evolves through its encounters with struggles, learns from situated practices and remains responsive to shifting regimes of mobility.