Both Sides of the Coin : Remittances and the transnational relationship of Somalis
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2012-08-12
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en
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Abstract
Remittances have been subject to many research from the twentieth century up till now.
Particularly in the case of Somalia (or rather the Somalis), billions of dollars go around the
world (DFID 2008). Remittances are not neutral amounts however; the amounts are
embedded in institutions and are significantly emotional loaded. This basic assumption is
used in this research in order to scrutinize remittances, transnational relationships and the
shaping of transnational hierarchies. Through conducting a multi-sited research interviewing
both the senders and the receivers it will argue against any generalization or
dichotomization regarding transnationalism, remittances nor regarding the senders and
receivers, emphasizing the fluidity of remittances and the relationships. We will zoom in on
the socio-economic position of Somali senders in the Netherlands, on Somali receivers in
Kenya, after which the transnational space between these groups will be scrutinized
focusing particularly on the institutions and its changing character on a transnational level.
Using social networks, and particularly the clan as an important Somali institution, as a basic
assumption in this research (transnationalism is never something individual) in both
countries as well as between these countries, we will scrutinize monitoring systems and
social pressure within these (at times mal-) functioning networks. Moreover, this research
explores the dynamics of these relationships and focuses on how institutions guide and
monitor control and enforcement mechanisms by looking at trust, distrust and strategies
used by both senders and receivers to influence the relationship but also as protective
mechanisms. This research will build on a repertoire of discourses and views on remittances
and the transnational relationship. As such, this exploratory research has portrayed a broad
scope of different relationships, different dynamics and mechanisms after which it will
conclude with recommendations for future research to capture the complexity of
remittances and transnational relationships.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen