Semester of Graduation

Spring 2025

Degree

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Political Science

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

This thesis offers new perspectives on migration and political behavior in Latin America by analyzing how remittances affect political engagement and how economic perceptions influence migration intentions. While classic models focus on structural economic conditions, this study emphasizes the independent significance of subjective economic judgments as well as the different political implications of remittances across national contexts. The first chapter challenges traditional models that mainly link migration with objective economic indicators by examining how migration intentions are influenced by retrospective economic views. Using individual-level data from the 2018 LAPOP survey across 19 Latin American countries, the analysis employs country fixed effects to isolate the impact of perceptions. Findings reveal that individuals who perceive economic decline—regardless of actual macroeconomic conditions—are significantly more likely to consider migration. This suggests that migration decisions are influenced not only by economic realities but also by how individuals interpret past economic trends, expanding existing theories of migration decision-making. The second study examines the political consequences of remittances, drawing on Downs' and Riker’s models to argue that remittances may enhance political engagement by reducing economic barriers to participation but may also decrease political interest by weakening economic dependence on the state. Using cross-national data and propensity score matching, the analysis finds that remittances’ association with political participation is not significant when accounting for country fixed effects, challenging prior studies that rely on single-country analyses. This finding indicates that the relationship between remittances and political engagement is contingent upon country-specific factors, paving the way for future research to explore the contextual mechanisms underpinning this dynamic. Together, these studies contribute to the literature on migration, remittances, and political behavior, demonstrating that economic perceptions and financial inflows influence migration decisions and democratic engagement in distinct ways. The findings highlight the need for policymakers to address not only macroeconomic conditions but also individual perceptions and financial flows that drive migration and shape political participation.

Date

4-1-2025

Committee Chair

Dr. Yann P Kerevel

Download

Available for download on Saturday, May 31, 2025

Share

COinS