A Change of Perspective: Migration, the West, and Lessons from History

By Mika Horelli, BRUSSELS – Migration is often portrayed as a threat to Western societies, a force that destabilizes cultural norms and undermines social cohesion. However, history tells an interesting story. Western nations have themselves carried out large-scale population displacements, imposed their cultures on others, and disrupted local societies in ways that resonate deeply with the current narratives about migration. Understanding this history is crucial, not only for reframing the discussion but also for grappling with the deeper causes of today’s migration crises.

European colonization of the Americas is perhaps the most well-known example of a population replacement on a massive scale. Indigenous peoples were forcibly displaced, enslaved, and decimated by disease and violence, with European settlers building societies on the ruins of their civilizations. These new societies weren’t simply built; they were imposed, with European norms, religions, and languages displacing the diversity that existed before.

Another striking example is the legacy of Belgium’s King Leopold II in the Congo. Under the pretense of “civilizing” Africa, Leopold oversaw a regime that killed millions and obliterated local cultures. Even today, some Belgians view this era as a time of spreading enlightenment rather than one of unthinkable atrocities. In my native country Finland, the Sámi, the Indigenous people of the region, were gradually pushed northward by expanding agricultural societies. This process mirrors countless other examples where dominant groups displaced Indigenous populations, often justifying their actions through claims of cultural or economic superiority.

These examples remind us that the fear of cultural replacement or societal disruption, which dominates contemporary migration debates, is not unique to our time. Instead, it is part of a recurring historical pattern—one in which Western nations have often played the leading role.

Today’s migration pressures are not happening in a vacuum. They are shaped by the consequences of colonialism, climate change, and global inequality—many of which are direct legacies of Western actions. The arbitrary borders drawn by colonial powers, often with little regard for the people living there, continue to sow conflict across Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. Wars in Syria, Afghanistan, and Sudan, for example, are deeply connected to the histories of foreign interference and exploitation in these regions.

Climate change, another major driver of migration, is largely the result of industrialization led by Western nations. The technologies and economies built on fossil fuels created the wealth and power of today’s developed nations, but they also unleashed environmental destruction that disproportionately affects the Global South. As droughts, floods, and rising sea levels render entire regions uninhabitable, millions are forced to move—not by choice but by necessity.

The economic inequalities entrenched during the colonial era also persist. Western nations industrialized by extracting resources and labor from the Global South, creating a stark divide in wealth and opportunity that drives migration today. Those seeking a better life in the West are often doing so because the structures of global trade and economics leave little opportunity in their home countries.

Admitting the West’s role in creating these conditions would be a necessary step toward addressing the root causes of migration, but it is also politically nearly impossible. Acknowledging such mistakes would challenge national myths of moral superiority, economic success, and cultural achievement. It would require confronting uncomfortable truths about the systems that have long been celebrated as the foundations of modern Western societies. For politicians, such admissions risk alienating voters, destabilizing narratives of national pride, and opening up difficult questions about reparations or restitution.

This inability to confront the past leaves us with few options for correcting old mistakes. It also prevents meaningful dialogue about how to address migration in ways that are both just and sustainable. Instead of focusing on root causes, many Western nations resort to policies of exclusion—tightening borders, criminalizing migration, and framing migrants as threats rather than as people driven by circumstances beyond their control.

Yet, migration itself is not inherently a crisis. It is a natural and enduring part of human history. Throughout millennia, people have moved in search of safety, opportunity, and a better life. Western nations that now speak of migration as a destabilizing force are themselves products of migration, both voluntary and forced.

Instead of viewing migration as a problem to be solved, it could be seen as an opportunity to address global inequalities, share resources more equitably, and embrace diversity. But this would require a profound shift in perspective—one that acknowledges the West’s historical role in creating the conditions for today’s migrations while also recognizing the limits of what can now be undone.

Perhaps the most challenging truth is that we cannot fix the past. The damage done through centuries of exploitation, colonization, and environmental destruction cannot simply be reversed. What we can do, however, is minimize future harm. By addressing climate change, supporting sustainable development, and fostering global equity, Western nations can begin to play a constructive role in shaping a more just and stable world.

This is not an easy path, nor is it one that comes naturally to societies accustomed to framing themselves as blameless. But it is the only path that acknowledges the interconnected nature of our histories and our futures. Migration is not something to fear; it is something to understand. And understanding requires honesty—not only about the present but about the past.