Migrants, Remittances, and Politics: Loyalty and Voice after Exit

In: The Fletcher forum of world affairs, Band 36, Heft 1

Abstract

In the past 35 years, many developing countries have experienced rising out-migration and democratization. Katrina Burgess explores how the restructuring of the global political economy has affected these trends and how their convergence has increased the incentives and opportunities for migrants to influence politics and governance in their countries of origin. Examining the nature and mechanisms of migrants' political involvement back home, Burgess concludes that their engagement is likely to make a difference, given their vast numbers and billions of dollars in remittances. However, Burgess also shows that migrants' influence can have varied consequences for the quality of democracy. Adapted from the source document.