Do Migrants Transfer Political Norms?

A Comparative Study of Arab Migrants in Democracies and Autocracies

Abstract

Migration scholars debate whether migration can induce or contribute to the democratization of sending countries through financial and social processes. Focusing on the effects of migration on individuals, I address this debate by asking two questions. First, do migrants transfer norms to people in their country of origin, and do those norms differ based on whether their country of residence is or is not a democracy? To answer these questions, I conduct a unique survey of Arab migrants around the world to examine their interactions with their families and their political and social beliefs as they relate to their country of origin. I find that there is a systematic difference in the attitudes and behaviors of migrants living in democracies—they are more likely to discuss politics with people in their country of origin and more supportive of democracy and liberal values than those living in autocratic countries.