Return Migration and and Local Political Authority

• In Event: Climate, Refugees, and Development in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Out-migration is often presented as an “escape valve” for political leaders in sending areas; the exit of those who may be especially likely to push for good governance reduces accountability pressures on authorities. At the same time, return migration is a widespread phenomenon across contexts in the Global South. Does these individuals’ return enhance political accountability? In this paper, I examine the relationship between return migration and political accountability by focusing on local authorities, who may seek to exclude return migrants from local governance if they perceive these individuals as especially likely to challenge their political authority. I employ a conjoint experiment with 230 village chiefs from rural Senegal, a context where over 50% of the male population has engaged in some form of exit (internal, external, or temporary migration) according to survey data from 2018-2022, and find that signaling an individual’s migration status increases the chief’s willingness to incorporate him into village-level governance. In-depth interviews with 145 of the 230 chiefs probe the role of potential mechanisms including chiefs' perceptions of migrants’ resources, tastes and preferences vis-à-vis non-migrants, and political knowledge and efficacy. Overall, the study suggests that in certain contexts, return migrants may be more likely to work with rather than challenge political authority. More broadly, the findings contribute to our understanding of how exit can subsequently shape political voice.

Author

• Zara Riaz, Columbia University