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The authors critically examine a 1990 study by Alan W. Evans concerning the assumption of interregional equilibrium in recent migration research. "We here argue that Evans is unconvincing in his primary substantive argument; we provide an alternative reading of the literature that supports this assertion....[We then illustrate] the substantive issues in terms of a simple formal model that allows for both equilibrium and disequilibrium migration." The geographical focus is on the United States. A reply by Evans is included (pp. 89-97)., (excerpt)

The relevance of concepts of equilibrium to the analysis of migration between Mexico and the United States is examined. A theoretical model applicable to this type of international migration is first developed. The next section "presents some limited and tentative empirical observations and suggests the knowledge which might be needed for a more precise understanding of the utility differentials between countries which give rise to migration, legal or illegal." A final section is devoted to the policy implications of this approach to migration analysis., (excerpt)

A multinomial logit model of residence and job change is developed and estimated using U.S. data from the Michigan Panel Study of Income Dynamics. It is found that both housing demand and job search characteristics are significant determinants of the decision to migrate and that both equilibrium and disequilibrium forces induce migration and job change. In addition, "the data do not appear to be ordered with respect to job and residence change contingencies with the exception of changing neither job nor residence relative to all other contingencies.", (excerpt)