Remitting democracy? The role of migrant remittances in promoting social and political change in Guanajuato, Mexico

Abstract

Remittance-led development in Mexico reveals the potential for state-migrant cooperation to channel remittances towards public works projects in migrant hometown communities. In some cases, such as the one presented in this article, the transfer of ideas and knowhow-i.e., social remittances-incites constructive interaction between migrants, government officials, and hometown citizens. Moreover, under the right conditions, the multiplier effects of migrant remittances (both social and economic) can act as a catalyst for democratic growth. Building on observations from the field, this study argues that the promotion of migrant investments in entrepreneurial projects has the potential to foster the growth of democratic norms in migrant hometowns.