| Introduction

In the book “Escape Routes: Control and Subversion in the 21st Century” the chapter “The Regime of Mobility Control: Liminal Porocratic Insutitons” by Dimitirs Papdopouls (2008), covers the author's thought-provoking core concepts. These notions are confronting the intrinsic mechanisms of mobility control and the liminal porocratic institution's appearances (Papadopoulos, 2008). It is therefore vital to reflect on the chapter's ideas and main arguments, to fully comprehend the concepts of Papadopoulos (2008), which is discussed in the following. 

| Complex Migration Rules In A Democratic World Explained By Papadopoulos

According to Papadopoulos (2008), modern societies have created a complex regime of mobility control. This control is distinguished because it has a reformed process of regulation by an institution which means that there is a contemporary form of these institutions (Papadopoulos, 2008).

This new form exists of the institutions functioning in the space between state sovereignty and the transnational movement of people. Consequently, this new form of power is regulating and managing the mobility of it all, argues Papadopoulos (2008). 

The main aim of Papadopoulos (2008) is to scrutinize the complicated mechanisms of mobility control and the emergence of institutions that are beyond democratic control. This is because the control of the mobility regime is being regulated in an inconsistent manner (Papadopoulos, 2008).

Through the globalisation process states take over authority over borders but at the same time, contemporary institutions are established which reinforce control (Papadopoulos, 2008). In fact, the purpose of these institutions is that they offer intermediaries between nation-states and the global movement of individuals (Papadopoulos, 2008). 

© Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Figure 1. Visual representation of a wired border, separating migrants from their goal.

Moreover, Papadopoulos (2008) focuses in this chapter on mobility control because it is a distinctive feature of modern society. He believes that the movement of people is made up of a few factors combined (Papadopoulos, 2008). These elements are related to legality, technology and bureaucracy (Papadopoulos, 2008).

All of these components are controlled by states and other actors, which influences the mobility of movement, specifically of people, which Papadopoulos (2008) is specifically focusing on. He tries to explain the situation by exploring the political, economic and social dimensions of this particular subject (Papadopoulos, 2008). 

Another issue addressed by Papadopoulos (2008) is that of the contemporary versions of institutions that function beyond democratic control. In this chapter, this type of insulation is referred to as liminal porocratic institutions (Papadopoulos, 2008). Specifically, these institutions are identified through their liminal nature, which essentially are existing between state control and transnational mobility (Papadopoulos, 2008).

They are managed in the space of conventional institutional frameworks, which allows somewhat flexibility in operating mobility (Papadopoulos, 2008). For example, these types of agencies exist as migration agencies, detention centres or border security forces. Their main aim is to intermediate between the sovereign state and the people that make up the transnational movements (Papadopoulos, 2008).

| Conclusion

In conclusion, the chapter “The Regime Of Mobility Control: Liminal Porocratic Insitituons” by Papadopoulos (2008) deals with the modern mechanisms of mobility control and the appearance of liminal porocratic institutions. Papadopoulos (2008) is able to delve into the complex dynamics underlying regulation and management which involves human movement.

The chapter, therefore, has covered the core concepts of mobility control and liminality (Papadopoulos, 2008). This has been done by offering a unique perspective on the evolutionary nature of borders and the control of states within the past decades (Papadopoulos, 2008). Overall, the chapter has challenged the traditional understandings of sovereignty and featured the complex nature of modern migration governance. 

Reference

Papadopoulos, D. (2008). The Regime of Mobility Control: Liminal Porcratic Institutions. Escape Routes: Control and Subversion in the 21st Century. London, Pluto Press.