Paper - Economic Research Forum

Diaspora Networks as a Bridge between Civilizations

| May, 2017

Economic Research Forum

Abstract

This paper explores the effect of international migration on the so-called clash of civilizations. Exploiting Gallup data on North Africa and the Middle East, we study the impact of having family members abroad on opinions about the relation between the Western and Muslim worlds. We find that households with migrants in Europe and North America have more positive attitudes towards the West than those with no migrants, or those with migrants in a Gulf country. We also show that in Tunisia having a migrant abroad has helped families go through the difficult post revolution period while keeping a positive and optimistic attitude towards the future, independently of their income level. Overall, our findings point at the important role of international migration as a bridge between civilizations, and as a catalyst for long-term peace and stability in troubled origin countries.

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For more information on this publication: Belfer Communications Office
For Academic Citation: Diwan, Ishac, Michele Tuccio and Jackline Wahba. “Diaspora Networks as a Bridge between Civilizations.” Paper, May, 2017.

The Authors

Michele Tuccio

Jackline Wahba

Jackline Wahba

  • Professor of Economics, University of Southampton, UK
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