Background
A wave of new global migrations took place during the 20th century as people moved from poorer nations to wealthier in hopes of finding work and better living conditions.  Others migrated to escape oppressive governments and almost certain death.  The world also became economically closer as nations began to depend on each other more through commerce.  The result was large scale cultural diffusion and a blurring of ethnic differences in many parts of the world.

Migrations
During the latter half of the 20th century, many people emigrated to Germany and France from economically poorer nations in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.  Both countries had very liberal immigration policies that not only allowed people in, but also provided human service for them until they could find work.  Many of these immigrants found employment as manual laborers, as the native populations of both Germany and France took jobs in management and technology. Both countries have experienced problems resulting from their immigration policies, as immigrants compete for economic resources.

In the United States, immigration increased dramatically during the 1980s and 1990s.  Most new immigrants to America come from either Latin America or Asia.  Motivations for immigration remain the same, searching for better economic opportunities and a better way of life.  Many immigrants in the United States are there illegally.  The U.S. government has tried to stop the wave of illegal immigrants entering the country, but has so far been unsuccessful.

Global Trade and Interdependence
New advances in communications and a growing world market for goods and technology have brought many nations closer economically.  Nations also have become interdependent as a result.  Industrialized nations depend on oil from around the world.  This has translated into political and economic power for oil rich nations, such as those in the Middle East. A rise in oil prices results in an increase in the price of goods across the board.  This can have a devastating effect on the economies of both industrialized nations, and on poor nations unable to afford goods due to inflation.

Regional cooperation among nations is another example of interdependence.  Organizations like the European Union and The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, cooperate economically by lowering trade barriers, such as, tariffs, to encourage commerce between member nations.  The North American Free Trade Agreement between Canada, the United States, and Mexico is another example of this type of cooperation.  On a larger scale, many western companies have formed partnerships with companies in economically poorer nations as a way of generating more business.  The downside to these multinational companies is that they often out compete local business in poorer nations.

Overall, the world has become a smaller place economically as global trade and interdependence have increased.  It has also become smaller through the mass migrations that have resulted in sharing of culture and ideas among the peoples of the world.