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Emigration and democracy

Author

Listed:
  • Frédéric DOCQUIER

    (Université Catholique de Louvain)

  • Elisabetta LODIGIANI

    (FERDI)

  • Maurice SCHIFF

    (FERDI)

Abstract

Migration is an important and yet neglected determinant of institutions.This paper investigates the effect of emigration on the quality of home-country institutions. Using consider cross-sectional as well as dynamic-panel regressions for a large sample of developing countries, we find that openness to emigration (as measured by the general emigration rate) has a positive effect on the quality of institutions (as measured by standard democracy and economic freedom indices) in the migrants’ home countries. The results are robust to a wide range of specifications and estimation methods.

Suggested Citation

  • Frédéric DOCQUIER & Elisabetta LODIGIANI & Maurice SCHIFF, 2014. "Emigration and democracy," Working Papers P90, FERDI.
    • Handle: RePEc:fdi:wpaper:1357
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    JEL classification:

    • O1 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development
    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration

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