Why Do States Develop Multi-tier Emigrant Policies? Evidence from Egypt

Tsourapas, Gerasimos

Abstract

Why do states vary their policies towards their citizens abroad, and why are some emigrant groups treated preferentially to others? The literature on the politics of international migration has yet to explore this as a separate field of inquiry, assuming that states adopt a single policy that encourages, sustains or prevents emigration abroad. Yet, in the case of Egypt, the state developed a multi-tiered policy that distinctly favoured specific communities abroad over others. I hypothesise that policy differentiation is based upon the perceived utility of the emigrant group remaining abroad versus the utility of its return. This utility is determined by two factors: the sending state’s domestic political economy priorities and its foreign policy objectives.

Citation

Tsourapas, G. (2015). Why Do States Develop Multi-tier Emigrant Policies? Evidence from Egypt. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 41(13), 2192-2214. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369183X.2015.1049940

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 6, 2015
• Publication Date: Jul 8, 2015
• Deposit Date: Jul 15, 2015
• Journal: Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies
• Print ISSN: 1369-183X
• Electronic ISSN: 1469-9451
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 41
• Issue: 13
• Pages: 2192-2214
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1369183X.2015.1049940
• Keywords: Emigration; Diaspora Policy; Egyptian Migrants; Middle East; Sending State
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1369183X.2015.1049940
• Additional Information: Additional Information : Published Online 8th July 2015