Irregular and Refugee Flows to Europe

Why do individuals from the global South migrate to Europe bypassing legal pathways? This study examines the question using an algorithm that leverages OpenAI ( LLM : GPT -4), NLP , and Python libraries to extract data from literature. It explores two competing concepts: “cyclical global hegemony” and “cyclical domestic instability” as key drivers of irregular migration and refugee flow. Findings indicate migration stems from a self-reinforcing cycle of: 1) global hegemony, where foreign policies, wars, and selective inclusion shape migration routes; 2) colonial and post-colonial dependency, where economic imbalances and aid reliance sustain migration pressures; and 3) domestic instability, where political unrest, poor governance, and ethnic divides push individuals toward irregular migration. These cycles interact, reinforcing migration culture through diaspora networks and the migration industry.