Session 11: Transnationalism, Mobility and Development

René Vermeulen

Development Theories

Outline:

• Introduction– Link migration to development

• Literature review• Migration for development

– The case of Ghanacoop– Michael Clemens; “true globalization”

Introduction Link migration to development

Link migration to development

Introduction

• Some figures and numbers on migration and remittances

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcoOENLfpUI&feature=player_detailpage#t=2s

Literature

• Boom in migration and development research; but with clear distinction between theories of migration and theories of development.

• “We still need to work on […] an integral vision that addresses the root causes of the considerable asymmetries among countries and the social inequalities that dominate contemporary capitalism.” (2009, p.87).

• And: no attention for the underdeveloped context of the migrant-sending countries.

Goal: “this article underscores the need for a theoretical approach based on the political economy of development” (2009).

Remittances: estimated 500 million people receive remittances (UNDP, 2007). From estimated $85 B in 2000 to $199 B in 2006 (WB, 2006).

Including unrecorded flows: +- 50% of the above extra.

This means: Remittances are larger than FDI investment flows and more than double ODA

Three sections in article:

1. Overview of current models for analyzing migration-development relationship;

2. New analytical model based on the political economy of development;

3. The ideas underlying the alternative analytical model.

Two trends in analytical approaches:The vicious circle and the virtuous circle

“considers migration incapable of inducing dynamics of development in places of origin (leading to more emigration)”

“migratory processes with consolidated social networks and established migrant organizations capable of assisting local and regional development”.

1. Current models and trends

• Virtuous trend has gained far more notoriety. Means: migration is seen as capable of bringing development.

The virtuous circle is based upon: • Remittances and productive investment;• Transnationalism and development;• Co-development (developed in receiving

country)• Migrant social subjects and local development

• The political economy of migration and development• International migration should be incorporated in the

field of development studies and because processes of (under)development should be considered the source of international migration.

• In other words: in a global context! • Not: But:

2. Towards a new theoretical approach

Links between international migration and development:

• Underdevelopment constitutes a catalyst for forced migration to developed countries

• Migrants contribute to the receiving country’s development

• Migrants help maintain precarious socio-economic stability in their countries of origin

• The promotion of development as a social transformation could contain forced migration

3. Underlying ideas

“In order to study migration, its cause-and-effect interrelation with development, and the different stages that are integral to this dialectical interaction, we must take into account two fundamental analytical dimensions:

Strategic practices and structural dynamics”

The theoretical approach of this article focuses on:

1. Critical approach towards neo-liberal globalization2. Critical reconstitution of development studies3. Construction of an ‘agent of change’4. Reassessment of migration and development

studies

These are fundamental for understanding the relationship between migration and development.

• Interest on migration – development nexus has increased in the past few years.

Article answers three questions:1. what is new and what is old about the current

‘mantra’ of the migration-development nexus? 2. with regard to sustained cross-border transactions,

which and what kind of transnational ties benefit development?

3. why is there a new enthusiasm about migration and development at this particular point in time?

• The history of thinking on the migration – development nexus:

Phase 1: 60s migration and development-remittances and return

• economic modernization concepts• Labor gaps in North, development in South

Phase 2: 70s/80sunderdevelopment and migration-poverty and brain

drain• dependency theories + world system theory.

Phase 3: 90s onwardsmigration and co-development- the celebration of

circulation • globalization, network society, world society.• migration supposed to fuel development in south, not only

financial and human capital but also via knowledge flows and social remittances

What is new?• The concept of migrants as transnational agents,

“diasporic” actors.• Migrants still fundamental for development (even if there

is no eventual return) through associations but also “informal diaspora knowledge networks”.

“Diaspora/transnational communities are communities without propinquity, built primarily not on geographical closeness but on a series of social and symbolic ties that connect ethnic, religious and professional diasporas.”

Why now?

• Changing concepts of development: statehood, the market and transnational civil society and community

• Geo-political changes: new role of diasporas• Coupling of migration and development aid

• Emergence of a new trend in the international community: GRT global remittances trend, focused on the potential of remittances for poverty reduction and development.

• Causes: 1) Growing awareness of migratory processes.2) Lack of resources to finance MDG’s

• This implies a major shift in thinking about migration and development.

• Traditionaly migration was seen as: 1) a completly distinct area of concern from development2) the outcome of lacking or failed development

• Starting from the 90’s:– New paradigm= migration and develoment nexus

(positive) [think of article Faist, phase 3]

– Migration not seen as a problem but as a tool for development

– Tendency to instrumentalise migration and remittances for development

GRT = gender neutral or gender blind? It is necessary to broader the concept of remittances:

1) There are different typologies of remittances (different use/function)

- Wages / salaries- Investments- Capital

2) Remittances mean also:- social remittances - technical remittances- political remittances

3) Remittances as a transnational activity4) Importance of contexts

• Regarding gender and remittances

Many unverified stereotypes:1) Men are mainly remittances senders and women mainly

(passive) remittances receivers2) When senders, women send more remittances than men3) Women make better use of remittances than men

With empirical researches contradictory and complex findings importance of specific context-culture analysis.

Implications of these stereotypes. They:1) Naturalise and reproduce gender norms and gendered

forms of behaviour;2) Contribute shaping policy-making and development

initiatives.

Conclusion: More gender-specific analysis of the gender implications

of GRT on the ground and more in general researches on different dimensions of collective remittances.

Examples and discussion

• Ghanacoop• Michael Clemens: true globalization as

solution

• http://www.un.org/esa/population/migration/turin/Turin_Statements/MCCARTHY.pdf

• http://www.un.org/esa/population/migration/turin/Turin_Statements/MCCARTHY.pdf

• http://www.un.org/esa/population/migration/turin/Turin_Statements/MCCARTHY.pdf

• http://www.un.org/esa/population/migration/turin/Turin_Statements/MCCARTHY.pdf

The case of Ghanacoop

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQBhmQd3K5c

Discussion

• Transnational migrant networks are the answer for underdeveloped

countries.

Michael Clemens

• http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/p00kktgp • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bB1hRNMGdbQ&feature=relmfu

• Michael Clemens on labor mobility and true globalization as solution

True globalization: “everything AND labor globalization”

The biggest idea in development no one really tried.

Background on him:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLoP9GalIHc

Discussion

True globalization is the answer for international development.