Spurring development co-operation - Mexican migrants and collective remittances

Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction

1.1 Overview

1.2. Methodology

1.3 Chapter Structure

Chapter 2: The International Context

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Migration

2.2.1 Historical Background, Root Causes and Migratory Trends

2.2.2 Effects of Emigration on Developing Countries

2.3 Remittances

2.3.1 Macro-economic Importance of Remittances

2.3.2 Remittance-promotion Programmes

2.4 Related Concepts

2.4.1 Civil Society

2.4.2 Social Capital

2.5 Conclusions

Chapter 3: The Mexican Context

3.1. Introduction

3.2 Background Information on Mexico

3.2.1 General Information

3.2.2 20th Century History of Emigration to the US

3.3 Remittances

3.3.1 Macro-economic Importance of Remittances

3.3.2 Family Remittances, Collective Remittances and Productive Investments

3.4 Government Outreach Programmes

3.4.1 “Program for Mexican Communities Living Abroad” and its Developments

3.4.2 Fund-matching Schemes

3.5 Mexican Hometown Associations in the USA

3.6 Conclusions

Chapter 4: Case Study: 3-For-1 Fund-Matching Scheme

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Background Information on Zacatecas

4.3 Programme Analysis

4.3.1 Projects

4.3.2 Successes

4.3.3 Shortcomings

4.3.4 Policy Recommendations

4.4 Conclusions

Chapter 5: Conclusions and Recommendations

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Migrants as Actors of Change

5.2.1 Development

5.2.2 Politics and Institutions

5.3 Recommendations for Further Research and Actions

Research Objectives and Core Themes

The primary objective of this dissertation is to investigate the dual potential of collective remittances: their contribution to regional development and their role in fostering a development-oriented co-operation between migrants and their home governments. The research explores how financial pooling by migrant associations can bridge gaps in local infrastructure and human development while simultaneously influencing political culture through enhanced engagement.

• The role of international migration and global remittance flows.
• Mechanisms and socio-economic impact of "fund-matching schemes".
• Theoretical typologies of remittances and popular participation.
• Developmental potential of Mexican Hometown Associations (HTAs) in the USA.
• The relationship between migrant networks, social capital, and the state.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

Chapter 1: Introduction: Outlines the research objectives, methodologies, and the structure of the dissertation, focusing on the potential of collective remittances.

Chapter 2: The International Context: Provides an overview of migration patterns, root causes, and the global macro-economic significance of remittances.

Chapter 3: The Mexican Context: Analyzes the history of emigration in Mexico, government outreach programs, and the role of hometown associations.

Chapter 4: Case Study: 3-For-1 Fund-Matching Scheme: Evaluates the specific case of Zacatecas, including successes, shortcomings, and policy recommendations for the 3-for-1 model.

Chapter 5: Conclusions and Recommendations: Synthesizes findings on the migration-development nexus and proposes future research directions regarding migrants as actors of change.

Keywords

Collective Remittances, International Migration, Fund-Matching Schemes, Hometown Associations, Mexico, Development Co-operation, Social Capital, Zacatecas, Brain Drain, Remittance-promotion Programmes, Civil Society, Regional Development, Migradollars, Infrastructure, Participatory Development.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary focus of this dissertation?

The study primarily investigates the dual potential of collective remittances for regional development and as a mechanism for co-operation between migrants and their home governments.

What are the central themes of the research?

Core themes include the analysis of global migration trends, the socio-economic impact of remittances, the institutional role of hometown associations, and the effectiveness of government-led fund-matching schemes.

What research methodology was employed?

The author used a combination of document analysis, statistical evidence, exploratory interviews via email, and a heuristic case study of the 3-for-1 fund-matching scheme in Zacatecas.

What does the main body of the text address?

The main body examines the international context of migration, provides a detailed case study of Mexico and Zacatecas, and evaluates theoretical frameworks like Goldring’s typology of remittances.

What are collective remittances?

Collective remittances refer to the organized pooling of financial resources by migrant groups to fund community projects, such as infrastructure or social improvements, rather than individual household support.

Which key concepts characterize this work?

Key concepts include "fund-matching schemes," "social capital," "civil society," "hometown associations," and the "migration-development nexus."

Why was the 3-for-1 scheme in Zacatecas chosen for the case study?

It is the oldest and most successful example of a tripartite fund-matching project in Mexico, providing a robust model for comparative analysis in small-scale research.

What is the "migration hump" hypothesis mentioned in the text?

It is a theoretical concept suggesting that international migration often increases temporarily as a country's economic development improves rapidly, before eventually leveling off.

How does the author view the role of the state in these schemes?

The author argues that the state's role is critical in fostering a partnership with migrants, provided that it moves away from authoritarian or corporatist legacies toward more transparent, participatory governance.