No.48 Human Mobility in Development Assistance from a Human Security Perspective: Applying a Protection and Empowerment Framework to the de Haas Quadrant Model

This study develops an integrated theoretical framework for understanding international migration governance by synthesizing de Haas's aspirations-capabilities model with a human security approach. The research addresses critical gaps in migration studies by reconceptualizing support strategies for people on the move through development and humanitarian assistance perspectives.

The framework classifies potential migrants into four quadrants based on aspirations-capabilities combinations, revealing previously overlooked differentiated support needs in conventional migration management. Particularly significant is the identification of vulnerable populations in acquiescent immobility (low aspirations × low capabilities), who remain invisible to traditional support systems, and forced migrants (low aspirations × high capabilities) who require specialized protection despite possessing relatively high capabilities.

Through game-theoretic analysis, the study examines how strategic interactions among multiple actors—potential migrants, origin countries, destination countries, development agencies, and human security actors—transform migration system equilibria. Results demonstrate that the entry of human security actors fundamentally shifts systems from country-centric to human-centric approaches, prioritizing lives, livelihoods, and dignity over economic efficiency alone.

The research proposes dynamic intervention strategies balancing protection and empowerment according to development stages. Protection dominates in early development phases, while empowerment proportionally increases with capability enhancement. This framework operationalizes Sen's capability approach within migration contexts, establishing theoretical foundations for safe and secure mobility systems.

Key contributions include: (1) conceptualizing protection-empowerment balance as a development-responsive continuum; (2) identifying quadrant-specific support strategies; (3) demonstrating equilibrium transformation mechanisms through multi-actor coordination; and (4) providing practical guidance for implementing human security principles in migration governance.

The framework offers policymakers tools for designing context-specific, resilient migration systems that respect human dignity while addressing complex global mobility challenges. Future research should empirically validate these theoretical propositions through case studies examining implementation conditions across diverse contexts.

Keywords: Aspirations-capabilities framework, Human security, Human mobility, Protection-empowerment balance