Abstract
Why do people send remittances? Also, what are the motivations for diaspora philanthropy? While each of these questions have been addressed by scholars in different way – with the most influential theories suggesting that ‘identification’ is the key theme that explains each of these phenomenon, we contend that there is much more than purely ‘identification’ with the recipients that is at play. In this study, based on synthesis of various theories and some empirical studies, we propose a new ‘mid-range’ theory, that seeks to explain the motivations for giving – both remittances and philanthropy. We explain how the motivations in each can be similar and distinct and offer insights that aim to further the scholarship on philanthropy and remittances. We hope to contribute to the discussion on the motivations for remittances and philanthropy and how it plays out, in the context of international development. With the urgency in fund-raising efforts and the need to accurately identify mechanisms and tools that will address the urgent needs of millions of people around the world, scholars are also coming together with innovative approaches and models to help understand how and why people give money. In addition, there is also the factor of donor fatigue that one has to contend with.
Highlights
The discourse of giving has encompassed that of remittances, in the recent past
Why do people send remittances? What are the motivations for diaspora philanthropy? While each of these questions have been addressed by scholars in multiple ways – with the most influential theories suggesting that ‘identification’ is the key theme that explains each of these phenomenon, we contend that there is much more than purely ‘identification’ with the recipients that is at play
We suggest a new innovative analysis style approach that allows us a novel and creative ways of conceptualizing remittances and philanthropy - by going beyond the binaries that characterize the study of such phenomenon
Summary
The discourse of giving has encompassed that of remittances, in the recent past. With an increase in the attention on international and forced migration - especially the ongoing refugee crisis impacting the Middle East and Europe and the flow of undocumented children from Central Europe into the U.S, there has been a renewed attention on remittances and philanthropic support. World Bank, the amount of remittances sent to countries of origin are three times the total global international development aid (http://www.ted.com/talks/dilip_ratha_the_hidden_forc e_in_global_economics_sending_money_home?languag e=en#t-97375). What are the motivations for diaspora philanthropy? In this study, based on synthesis of various theories and some empirical studies, we propose a new ‘mid-range’ theory, that seeks to explain the motivations for giving – both remittances and philanthropy. We explain how the motivations in each can be similar and distinct and offer insights that aims to further the scholarship on philanthropy and remittances
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