Coming Home: First and Second Order Effects of Returning Migrants on Romanian Economic Development through the Changing Dynamics of Social Capital
Coming Home: First and Second Order Effects of Returning Migrants on Romanian Economic Development through the Changing Dynamics of Social Capital

Summary/Abstract: A growing body of evidence suggests there is a positive relationship between social capital and economic development. Elements of social capital, such as generalized trust, provide a basis for reciprocity necessary for a market-based economic system. In this article, we evaluate components of social capital and other political culture attributes among Romanian migrant workers who have returned to their country, as well as labor migrant household members. Using pooled data from an eight-year period, we find that migrant workers and members of their households tend to have less pro-democratic values than the general population although they tend to be more participatory citizens. The exception to this is among émigrés who returned in the 1990’s suggesting that negative attitudes turn positive after resettlement in the community. We conclude that returning migrants do not offer a significant source of social capital to Romania. The finding tempers those who optimistically await the return of the many Romanian migrants. However, the long-term impact of returning migrants might show more desirable results.

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