International Migration and the World Polity: A Migration Systems Approach

• In Event: 119 - Section on Global and Transnational Sociology Paper Session. Explaining Socio-Political Convergence? Evidence from Large-N Cross-National Comparisons

Abstract

Scholars have utilized world polity theory to help explain trends in numerous areas globally. However, state-to-state, international migration has not been explored in the context of the world polity. This article builds upon the migration systems linkage based approach by assessing the degree to which shared memberships in intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) affect bilateral migration between states. Using data from the World Bank’s Global Bilateral Migration Database I employ multiple regression quadratic assignment procedure (MRQAP) using random and fixed effects models with an AR(1) disturbance on a sample of 103 countries yielding 44,713 (random effects models) and 34,768 (fixed effects models) country pairs from 1960 through 2000. I find that larger numbers of shared bilateral ties to IGOs, regardless of IGO type, has a statistically significant, positive effect on bilateral migration over time. I attribute this to the compounded effects of script diffusion and cognitive activation of the migration script facilitated through embeddedness in the IGO network.

Author

• Sam Abrahim Shirazi, SUNY Stony Brook