Revisiting Transnational Migration-Development Nexus

The nexus between transnational migration and development has been dubbed theoretically unsettled . This book examines the explanatory inadequacies in received theories of the linkage and argues that a settled general theory of the nexus will probably remain elusive. As an alternative way of understanding the linkages between transnational migration and development, it suggests the use of capability approach in analyzing the development outcomes of transnational migration. Using field data from two locations in Nepal, the book identifies specific capability gaps that make it difficult for migrants to find desirable and achievable livelihoods outside of migration cycles. This book is organized around four chapters. The first chapter introduces the research questions, methodology and data. The second chapter examines the explanatory inadequacies of received theories. The third chapter develops a framework for applying the capability approach in migration-development research and the fourth chapter summarizes the book and discusses the theoretical implications of its findings.

Autorentext

Sagar Prasai is a development planner and has worked for various development organizations since his career began in 1995. This book is a result of his 2004 fieldwork in rural Nepal. Sagar has a PhD in Regional Planning from University of Illinois and is a visiting faculty at the Institute of Engineering in Kathmandu.