Assessing the Impact of Migration on Socio-economic Development in Lebanon

• Název práce v češtině: Posouzení dopadu migrace na sociálně-ekonomický rozvoj v Libanonu
• Název v anglickém jazyce: Assessing the Impact of Migration on Socio-economic Development in Lebanon
• Klíčová slova anglicky: Lebanon, remittances, development, migration, diaspora
• Akademický rok vypsání: 2022/2023
• Typ práce: bakalářská práce
• Jazyk práce: angličtina
• Ústav: Katedra politologie (23-KP)
• Vedoucí / školitel: Pelin Ayan Musil, Ph.D.
• Řešitel: skrytý - zadáno vedoucím/školitelem
• Datum přihlášení: 29.09.2023
• Datum zadání: 27.02.2024
• Datum odevzdání elektronické podoby: 30.04.2024
• Oponenti: Mgr. Kristián Földes

Seznam odborné literatury

Abdih, M. Y., Barajas, M. A., Chami, M. R., & Ebeke, M. C.
(2012). Remittances channel and fiscal impact in the Middle East, North
Africa, and Central Asia. International Monetary Fund.

Amuedo-Dorantes, C. P. (2023). The widespread impacts of remittance
flows. IZA World of Labor.

Awdeh, A. (2014). Remittances to Lebanon: Economic impact and the role of
banks.

Chami, R., Ernst, E., Fullenkamp, C., & Oeking, A. (2018). Remittance
Trap?. FINANCE & DEVELOPMENT.

Gallina, A. (2006). The impact of international migration on the economic
development of countries in the Mediterranean basin.

Hourani, G. (2005, September). emigration, transnational Family networks,
and remittances: overview of the Situation in Lebanon. In Conference:
Mediterranean Forum Migrations: A Challenge for City Integration, Security
and Quality of Life in the Mediterranean Area. Lebanon: Lebanese Emigration
Research Center Notre Dame University, Lebanon.

Khater, A. (2017). Why did they leave? Reasons for early Lebanese
migration. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies News, 15.

Nussbaum, M. (2002). Capabilities and social justice. International Studies
Review, 4(2), 123-135.

Pearlman, W. (2013). Emigration and the Resilience of Politics in
Lebanon. The Arab Studies Journal, 21(1), 191-213.

Safran, W. (1991). Diasporas in modern societies: Myths of homeland and
return. Diaspora: A journal of transnational studies, 1(1), 83-99.
Sen, A. (2015). Development as Freedom (1999).

Sheffer, G. (1997). Middle eastern diasporas: introduction and
readings. Middle East Review of International Affairs (MERIA), 1(2).

Sinno, N., & Makki, M. (2018). The Effects and Consequences of Migration
and Immigration on the Lebanese Economy and Tourism Sector.

Tabar, P. (Ed.). (2005). Lebanese diaspora: History, racism and belonging.
Lebanese American University.

Tabar, P. (2010). Lebanon: A country of Emigration and Immigration.

Yang, D. (2011). Migrant remittances. Journal of Economic
perspectives, 25(3), 129-152.

Předběžná náplň práce v anglickém jazyce

Introduction 

Migration is a complex global phenomenon driven by various factors, including economic, social, political, and cultural influences. In 2019, international migrants numbered 272 million, constituting 3.5% of the global population (International Organization for Migration). In 2021, the world witnessed 89.3 million forced displacements, including 27.1 million refugees and 4.6 million asylum-seekers (UNHCR, 2022). Lebanon, uniquely
positioned with a significant emigrant population and historical reliance on diaspora remittances, offers an ideal case for studying the intricate relationship between migration and socio-economic development. However, more research is needed to understand this relationship, particularly in light of Lebanon's ongoing crisis since 2019. This thesis explores how migration, particularly the emigrant population, has influenced Lebanon's recent socio-
economic development.
Development encompasses diverse dimensions, including economic growth, education, healthcare, and social inclusion. It can both drive and be influenced by migration. Lebanon, facing a multifaceted crisis since 2019, continues to endure partly due to its ties with the diaspora, which significantly contributed to its development. Investigating migration's impact on Lebanon's socio-economic development is vital for comprehending the country's current
challenges and historical evolution. Limitations may arise from the availability of recent economic and population data.
This thesis aims to assess how migration, particularly the Lebanese diaspora abroad, shapes Lebanon's socio-economic landscape and how development, in turn, influences migration. Employing the Capabilities Approach developed by Amartya Sen and later by Martha Nussbaum, we seek a holistic perspective on well-being, freedom, capabilities, and opportunities. This approach aligns with Lebanon's complex development context, considering historical, migration-related, social, and political factors. This research project seeks to contribute significantly to understanding the multifaceted impact of migration on the socio-economic development in Lebanon, employing a multidisciplinary approach through the philosophical theory of the Capabilities Approach, but also economic and political theories through the qualitative methodology of research literature, as well as an analysis of these findings, enriching the academic discourse on migration and development dynamics, with potential value for policymakers.

Literature Review 

Existing research on migration, development, and Lebanon primarily focuses on migration motivations, patterns, and trends from economic, social, political, and cultural perspectives, highlighting remittances'; impact on Lebanon. The social aspect explores diaspora identities and their link to Lebanon and integration into transnational communities. However, research generally separates economic and social aspects, needs more depth in Lebanon's case, and needs to include the development aspect and the migration- development link. The research also needs diverse theories, such as the Capabilities Approach, to understand development comprehensively,
including from the well-being, education, and freedom perspectives.

Research Questions

1. How have historical migration patterns shaped Lebanon's socio- economic landscape, and what are their implications?
2. What is the role of remittances in Lebanon's development, and how d they contribute to or hinder efforts to address socio-economic challenges such as sectarianism and corruption?
3. How does the Capabilities Approach perspective provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the impact of migration on Lebanon's development, particularly in terms of enhancing human capabilities and fostering social cohesion?
4. What key structural societal and political reforms are needed to address Lebanon's migration and development challenges, and how can collaborative efforts between the government, civil society, and the Lebanese diaspora facilitate their implementation?

Methodology 

This research will, for a significant part, include qualitative methods, mainly regrouping literature and reports on the topic and applying theoretical knowledge, such as the philosophical theory of the Capabilities Approach, to assess the literature findings critically. Quantitative data will be gathered from reports to illustrate the significant part migration and its remittances take in Lebanon through percentages and their impact. 

Structure of the BA Thesis
1. Abstract
2. Introduction: A comprehensive overview of the research topic, emphasizing its significance, knowledge gaps, and the chosen theoretical framework and methodology.
3. Historical patterns of migration in Lebanon: An exploration of historical and contemporary migration patterns .
4. Analyzing Lebanon's migration and development issue from the Human Development perspective: A comprehensive assessment of migration and remittances’ influence on the socio-economic development of Lebanon based on the findings of the literature review.
5. Literature Review: A meticulous examination of existing literature, emphasizing its relevance to Lebanon's specific context.
6. Solutions: A set of proposed solutions to tackle Lebanon’s challenges and reach development (social and political reform of the society’s structure)
7. Conclusion: A synthesis of research findings, implications, and policy recommendations derived from the study's empirical insights.
8. Summary

9. References