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1 J. Refugee Stud. 1 (1988)
Refugees and Refugee Studies - A Label and an Agenda

handle is hein.journals/jrefst1 and id is 9 raw text is: Journal of Refugee Studies Vol. 1. No. 1 1988 Refugees and Refugee Studies - A Label and an Agenda Editorial Introduction to the Journal of Refugee Studies ROGER ZETTER Introduction Alienation, persecution and forced migration are amongst the most profoundly disturbing human experiences. Documented over many centuries, the traumas of mass exodus confront those who are excluded from societies at times of acute political crises or rapid and fundamental redefinition of their economic, social or ethnic identity. But in the present century it is the word 'refugee' which has increasingly been deployed to describe the millions of uprooted people who have been forced into exile or displaced within their own countries because of intolerance, war or other human factors. 'Refugee' constitutes one of the most powerful labels currently in the repertoire of humanitarian con- cern, national and international public policy and social differentiation. The label 'refugee' both stereotypes and institutionalises a status. It is benevolent and apolitical, yet it also establishes, through legal and policy making practices, highly politicised interpretations (Wood 1985). It may designate crisis needs and the associated conditions of poverty and depriva- tion. Conversely it encompasses longer term issues of resettlement and assimilation; rarely, though, does the designation achieve what it presumes - the probability of eventual voluntary repatriation. The label indicates change in the normal structure and mechanisms of economic, social and cultural life - these are changes that, by their extreme nature, often become pathological for refugees and their hosts. The label connotes humanitarian designation; yet substantial quantities of aid and assistance have done little to sustain cultures and communities made fragile under such pressures. Rather, the label creates and imposes an institutionalised dependency (Zetter 1985). It may threaten sovereignty and autonomy for hosts and refugees. Thus, far from simplifying definitions of status and need, the label now conveys extremely complex meanings. These issues, and of course many others associated with the label and the plight of refugee existence are, however, more than just definitional. They raise substantial matters for examination and analysis. They have provided a %, Oxford (hiiversily Pie. 1988

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