A Nation of Emigrants: How Mexico Manages Its Migration / Edition 1

by David FitzGerald

Overview

What do governments do when much of their population simply gets up and walks away? In Mexico and other migrant-sending countries, mass emigration prompts governments to negotiate a new social contract with their citizens abroad. After decades of failed efforts to control outflow, the Mexican state now emphasizes voluntary ties, dual nationality, and rights over obligations. In this groundbreaking book, David Fitzgerald examines a region of Mexico whose citizens have been migrating to the United States for more than a century. He finds that emigrant citizenship does not signal the decline of the nation-state but does lead to a new form of citizenship, and that bureaucratic efforts to manage emigration and its effects are based on the membership model of the Catholic Church.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780520257054
Publisher:	University of California Press
Publication date:	12/02/2008
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	264
Sales rank:	877,290
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

David Fitzgerald is Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of California, San Diego.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations ix Acknowledgments xi Map of Jalisco, Mexico xiii Introduction 1
1 The Politics of Absence 15
2 Inside the Sending State 36
3 The Church's Eye on Its Flock 70
4 Colonies of the Little Motherland 103
5 The Stranger or the Prodigal Son? 125 Conclusion 153 Appendix Survey Methodology 181 Notes 185 Bibliography 205 Index 235

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Offers what is, to date, one of the most comprehensive looks into the politics and administration of emigration."—Hispanic Amer Historical Review

"Provides readers with keys to understanding the immense impact of immigration, not only on receiving countries, but on the sending society."—Political Science Quarterly

Editorial Reviews

This book begins to fill a clear gap in our knowledge. . . . interesting, rich, and detailed . . . fascinating . . . provides an excellent starting point for the development of a political sociology of emigration.

American Journal of Sociology

Fitzgerald . . . offers what is, to date, one of the most comprehensive looks into the politics and administration of emigration. . . . A Nation of Emigrants raises new questions that will lead migration scholars to more thoughtfully consider the emigration story that unfolds alongside immigration history.

Hispanic American Historical Review

A readable and engaging book that raises provocative questions and presents original arguments that enrich the burgeoning literature on migrant-sending states.

Journal of Politics

Provides readers with keys to understanding the immense impact of immigration, not only on receiving countries, but on the sending society.

Political Science Quarterly

“Offers what is, to date, one of the most comprehensive looks into the politics and administration of emigration.

Hispanic Amer Historical Review